Imbalance of plankton community metabolism in eutrophic Lake Taihu, China

► We examined the plankton community metabolism in eutrophic Lake Taihu. ► We used a more accurate method of depth-integrated calculations. ► The eutrophic Lake Taihu was net heterotrophic and acted as net sources of CO2. ► This may be related to poor underwater light climate and high water temperatures.