The Zoige peatlands have recently witnessed escalating declines in water tables and degradation, resulting in increased carbon emissions. To explore the interactions between phenolics and semiconductor minerals in the Ruoergai peatlands, this study employs a photocatalytic degradation system for soil sample collection using the five-point method from three peatlands in the Ruoergai Plateau, with water levels at -2, -8, and -13.8 cm, respectively. A range of catalyst concentrations were established in conjunction with phenolics, and the photocatalytic degradation mechanisms were examined by assessing the degradation products and kinetic properties of phenolics. Translation provided by DeepL.com (free version) The results show that: (1) soil minerals in peatlands are mainly composed of hematite,manganosite, brookite, and zincite. Soil mineral content in the peatland escalated as the water table receded. The content of manganese chevronite increased from 2.15% to 4.92%, an increase of 2.3-fold, and manganese chevronite showed high photocatalytic degradation efficiency of gallic acid, a typical phenolics in peatlands, showing a 99.4% degradation rate. The increase reached 10.14-fold compared to the control. Under Fangmanganese ore photocatalytic-mediated spoilage of Hibiscus sp. conditions, the degradation rate of gallic acid reached 99.7%, an increase of 26.5%. (2) The photocatalytic degradation test of gallic acid using argentite as catalyst revealed that the degradation products were mainly gallate ion, Galloylquinone, Phthalic Acid, Phthalic Anhydride, Propionic Acid and acetic acid. After adding a hole-scavenger to the degradation system, the degradation products were only gallate ion, pyrogallol, and propionic acid. (3) Further kinetic analyses of the photocatalytic degradation of phenolics indicated that photoelectrons generated from semiconductor mineral photocatalysis predominantly influenced the degradation of gallic acid, a typical phenolic, following the reduction of water levels in peatlands.Photoelectrons, on the other hand, generate superoxide ions by reacting with dissolved oxygen, and finally break the chemical bonds of phenolics such as C-O and C-C, accelerating the degradation of phenolics to form substances such as gallic quinone. It can be seen that the decrease of water level in peatland can enhance the photocatalysis of semiconductor minerals to mediate the microbial degradation of phenolics to form humic acid precursors such as gallic quinone, and promote the accumulation of carbon. In conclusion, this study offers a foundational basis for understanding the carbon sink function of peatland ecosystems and informs strategies for peatland protection and management.