Characteristics of Sediment and Organic Carbon Export from Pristine Boreal Forest Watersheds

1982 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1699-1718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Naiman
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Watershed Area ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Spring Freshet

Estimates of the amount of material moving annually from terrestrial ecosystems to the ocean are largely based on an incomplete understanding of events occurring throughout the hydrologic year, and only a vague comprehension of in-stream processes controlling that export. Discharge, suspended sediment, particulate organic matter (POM; > 0.5 μm), dissolved organic carbon (DOC; <0.5 μm diameter), and the percentage of organic matter were measured from 1979 to 1981 in five pristine Quebec streams: First Choice Creek (1st order; watershed area: 0.25 km2), Beaver Creek (2nd order; 1.83 km2), Muskrat River (5th order; 204 km2), Matamek River (6th order; 673 km2), and the Moisie River (9th order; 19 871 km2). All streams, with the exception of First Choice Creek, have a strong spring freshet when 43–55% of the annual discharge occurs. By describing sediment and organic carbon export throughout the annual hydrologic cycle, 1 showed that during the 2-mo spring freshet 71–92% of the annual sediment load is exported but only 59–65% of the annual POM load, and only 47–51% of the annual DOC load. Sediment yield is relatively constant between watersheds (1.5–7.6 g∙m−2∙yr−1), as is POM export (1.0–6.7 g ash-free dry-weight [AFDW]∙m−2∙yr−1); however, export DOC varies from 3.1 g C∙m−2∙yr−1 in First Choice Creek to 48.4 g C∙m−2∙yr−1 in Beaver Creek. There appears to be rapid loading of carbon between 1st- and 2nd-order streams in boreal forests, followed by biological and physical processing as watershed area increases. Thus, for the Moisie River watershed, export of total organic carbon (TOC) is reduced to only 4.7 g C∙m−2∙yr−1. Export of coarse particulate organic matter (> 1 mm) is negligible (normally < 0.1 mg∙L−1), as is oxidation of the suspended load (< 0.5%∙d−1). Effects of summer storms, natural diel variations, and depth of sample from the water column are shown to have a minimal influence on concentrations. Rating curves (kg∙d−1 vs. discharge) are developed to estimate the annual yield of sediment, POM, and DOC, and to evaluate long-term variations. From the results I suggest that in-stream processing and retention devices exert considerable control over the quantity and nature of suspended organic material. Physical processes such as the discharge regime and stream power are relatively less important in determining organic concentrations, but more important in determining sediment concentrations.Key words: seston, carbon, sediment, boreal forest, watershed, river, stream, export

scholarly journals Traces of sunlight in the organic matter biogeochemistry of two shallow subarctic lakes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marttiina V. Rantala ◽  
Carsten Meyer-Jacob ◽  
E. Henriikka Kivilä ◽  
Tomi P. Luoto ◽  
Antti. E. K. Ojala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Lake Sediments ◽  
Lake Water ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Subarctic Lakes ◽  
Carbon Regulation ◽  
In Situ Experiments

AbstractGlobal environmental change alters the production, terrestrial export, and photodegradation of organic carbon in northern lakes. Sedimentary biogeochemical records can provide a unique means to understand the nature of these changes over long time scales, where observational data fall short. We deployed in situ experiments on two shallow subarctic lakes with contrasting light regimes; a clear tundra lake and a dark woodland lake, to first investigate the photochemical transformation of carbon and nitrogen elemental (C/N ratio) and isotope (δ13C, δ15N) composition in lake water particulate organic matter (POM) for downcore inferences. We then explored elemental, isotopic, and spectral (inferred lake water total organic carbon [TOC] and sediment chlorophyll a [CHLa]) fingerprints in the lake sediments to trace changes in aquatic production, terrestrial inputs and photodegradation before and after profound human impacts on the global carbon cycle prompted by industrialization. POM pool in both lakes displayed tentative evidence of UV photoreactivity, reflected as increasing δ13C and decreasing C/N values. Through time, the tundra lake sediments traced subtle shifts in primary production, while the woodland lake carried signals of changing terrestrial contributions, indicating shifts in terrestrial carbon export but possibly also photodegradation rates. Under global human impact, both lakes irrespective of their distinct carbon regimes displayed evidence of increased productivity but no conspicuous signs of increased terrestrial influence. Overall, sediment biogeochemistry can integrate a wealth of information on carbon regulation in northern lakes, while our results also point to the importance of considering the entire spectrum of photobiogeochemical fingerprints in sedimentary studies.

scholarly journals Organic matter mineralisation in contrasting agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge .

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Navarro Pedreño ◽  
Ignacio Gómez Lucas ◽  
Jose Martín Soriano Disla
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Multiple Sensor ◽  
Sludge Application

The mineralisation of organic matter (OM) when sewage sludge was used as amendment in 70 contrasting agricultural soils from Spain was analysed. Soils received a single dose of sewage sludge (equivalent to 50t dry weight ha<sup>-1</sup>) and the O<sub>2</sub> consumption was continuously monitored for 30 days using a multiple sensor respirometer in a laboratory experiment. The cumulative O<sub>2</sub> consumption and rates after 8 and 30 days of incubation (O<sub>2 cum</sub> 8d, 30d and O<sub>2 rate</sub> 8d, 30d), the respiratory quotient (RQ), the maximum O<sub>2</sub> rates over the incubation period (O<sub>2 max</sub>) and time from the beginning of the incubation when O<sub>2 max</sub> occurred (T<sub>max</sub>), were determined in both amended and non-amended soils. Sewage sludge application resulted in increased values for O<sub>2 max</sub>, O<sub>2 rate</sub> 8d, and O<sub>2 cum</sub> 30d. Differences were minor for T<sub>max</sub>, RQ 8d and O<sub>2 rate</sub> 30d. A considerable amount of the initial OM applied was mineralised during the first 8 days. Organic matter decomposition (as expressed by O<sub>2 cum</sub> 30d) was favoured in soils with high values of pH, carbonates, soil organic carbon and low values of amorphous Mn. Soils with these characteristics may potentially lose soil C after sewage sludge application.

scholarly journals Particulate organic matter composition and organic carbon flux in Arctic valley glaciers: examples from the Bayelva River and adjacent Kongsfjorden

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 15655-15685
Author(s):  
Z.-Y. Zhu ◽  
Y. Wu ◽  
S.-M. Liu ◽  
F. Wenger ◽  
J. Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Particulate Nitrogen ◽  
Organic Carbon Flux ◽  
Doc Concentration ◽  
The Face

Abstract. In the face of ongoing global warming and glacier retreat, the composition and flux of organic matter in glacier–fjord systems are key variables for updating the carbon cycle and budget, whereas the role of Arctic valley glaciers seems unimportant when compared with the huge Greenland Ice Sheet. Our field observations of the glacier-fed Bayelva River, Svalbard, and the adjacent Kongsfjorden allowed us to determine the compositions of particulate organic matter from glacier to fjord and also to estimate the flux of organic carbon, both for the river and for Svalbard in general. Particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the Bayelva River averaged 56 and 73 μM, respectively, in August 2012. Amino acids (AAs) and phytoplankton pigments accounted for ~ 10 % of the particulate organic matter (POM) in the Bayelva River, while AAs represented > 90 % of particulate nitrogen in fjord surface water, suggesting the strong in situ assimilation of organic matter. Bacteria accounts for 13 and 19 % of the POC in the Bayelva River and the Kongsfjorden, respectively, while values for particulate nitrogen (PN) are much higher (i.e., 36 % in Kongsfjorden). The total discharge from the Bayelva River in 2012 was 29 × 106 m3. Furthermore, we calculated the annual POC, DOC, and PN fluxes for the river as 20 ± 1.6, 25 ± 5.6, and 4.7 ± 0.75 t, respectively. Using the POC content and DOC concentration data, we then estimated the annual POC and DOC fluxes for Svalbard glaciers. Although the estimated POC (0.056 ± 0.02 × 106 t yr−1) and DOC (0.02 ± 0.01 × 106 t yr−1) fluxes of Svalbard glaciers are small compared with those of the Greenland Ice Sheet, the area-weighted POC flux of Svalbard glaciers is twice that of the Greenland Ice Sheet, while the flux of DOC can be 4 to 7 times higher. Therefore, we propose that valley glaciers are efficient high-latitude sources of organic carbon.

Biogeochemical processes and labile composition of settling particulate organic matter in the south-west Pacific Ocean

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lallan Prasad Gupta ◽  
Hodaka Kawahata
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Deep Trap ◽  
Biogeochemical Processes ◽  
Shallow Trap ◽  
The South ◽  
Coral Sea ◽  
South West ◽  
Tasman Sea

Settling particles collected by sediment traps deployed for approximately 1 year in the Coral Sea and Tasman Sea were analysed to understand the biogeochemical processes controlling the cycling and flux of particulate organic matter (POM) in the south-west Pacific. Samples were analysed for 20 amino acids (AA) and two hexosamines (HA) and the data were interpreted together with already published data on opal (biogenic silica), organic carbon and total nitrogen contents. Mean fluxes of labile carbon and nitrogen at one site were significantly different (P < 0.04, t-test; n = 14–18) from those at other sites. The southernmost trap recorded the highest concentrations of AA, HA and organic carbon normalized AA. At a site in the south, POM was more degraded in the deep trap than in the shallow trap. Occasionally, higher fluxes were also recorded at the deep trap relative to the shallow trap. The C/Natomic ratio coupled with AA- and HA-based parameters clearly suggested contribution of POM through resuspension as well as lateral advection at the more southern site, whereas a strong influence of zooplankton on total mass flux was revealed at the northern site during the period August–September 1995. It is evident from the data that higher flux of particles having higher labile contents (AA and HA) is more prevalent in the Tasman Sea than in the Coral Sea.

scholarly journals Sources and export of particle-borne organic matter during a monsoon flood in a catchment of northern Laos

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1073-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Gourdin ◽  
S. Huon ◽  
O. Evrard ◽  
O. Ribolzi ◽  
T. Bariac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Specific Yield ◽  
Main Stream ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Suspended Organic Matter

Abstract. The yields of the tropical rivers of Southeast Asia supply large quantities of carbon to the ocean. The origin and dynamics of particulate organic matter were studied in the Houay Xon River catchment located in northern Laos during the first erosive flood of the rainy season in May 2012. This cultivated catchment is equipped with three successive gauging stations draining areas ranging between 0.2 and 11.6 km2 on the main stem of the permanent stream, and two additional stations draining 0.6 ha hillslopes. In addition, the sequential monitoring of rainwater, overland flow and suspended organic matter compositions was conducted at the 1 m2 plot scale during a storm. The composition of particulate organic matter (total organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations, δ13C and δ15N) was determined for suspended sediment, soil surface (top 2 cm) and soil subsurface (gullies and riverbanks) samples collected in the catchment (n = 57, 65 and 11, respectively). Hydrograph separation of event water was achieved using water electric conductivity and δ18O measurements for rainfall, overland flow and river water base flow (n = 9, 30 and 57, respectively). The composition of particulate organic matter indicates that upstream suspended sediments mainly originated from cultivated soils labelled by their C3 vegetation cover (upland rice, fallow vegetation and teak plantations). In contrast, channel banks characterized by C4 vegetation (Napier grass) supplied significant quantities of sediment to the river during the flood rising stage at the upstream station as well as in downstream river sections. The highest runoff coefficient (11.7%), sediment specific yield (433 kg ha−1), total organic carbon specific yield (8.3 kg C ha−1) and overland flow contribution (78–100%) were found downstream of reforested areas planted with teaks. Swamps located along the main stream acted as sediment filters and controlled the composition of suspended organic matter. Total organic carbon specific yields were particularly high because they occurred during the first erosive storm of the rainy season, just after the period of slash-and-burn operations in the catchment.

Carbon Isotope Ratios of Particulate Organic Matter in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 678-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Tan ◽  
P. M. Strain
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Carbon Isotope Ratios ◽  
Surface Samples

Sixteen offshore surface samples within the Gulf of St. Lawrence show low δ13C values and are similar to eight offshore surface samples collected seaward of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The δ13C surface values are consistent with δ13C values in plankton produced at the temperature found in the euphotic zone in the study area. Higher values are observed in four surface samples from the mouth of the St. Lawrence Estuary and probably result from high carbon demand during periods of high biological productivity. Lower values found in seven deep POC samples indicate changes in the nature of the POC caused by biological degradation of the organic matter. Significant differences (2–6‰) between the uniformly high δ13C values of the organic carbon in surface sediments and the low values of near-bottom water POC have been observed. The similarity between the δ13C values of surface water POC and the surface sediments suggest that surface water POC is an important source of organic carbon in surface sediments. Several observations of large vertical δ13C gradients in deep water POC suggest the presence of resuspended sediments 30–60 m above the sediment–water interface. Key words: particulate organic matter, carbon isotope ratios, isotope fractionation, sediment resuspension, sediment sources, Gulf of St. Lawrence

scholarly journals Pulsed carbon export from mountains by earthquake-triggered landslides explored in a reduced-complexity model

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 823-844
Author(s):  
Thomas Croissant ◽  
Robert G. Hilton ◽  
Gen K. Li ◽  
Jamie Howarth ◽  
Jin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Biogeochemical Processes ◽  
Organic Matter Degradation ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Mountain Ranges

Abstract. In mountain ranges, earthquakes can trigger widespread landsliding and mobilize large amounts of organic carbon by eroding soil and vegetation from hillslopes. Following a major earthquake, the landslide-mobilized organic carbon can be exported from river catchments by physical sediment transport processes or stored within the landscape where it may be degraded by heterotrophic respiration. The competition between these physical and biogeochemical processes governs a net transfer of carbon between the atmosphere and sedimentary organic matter, yet their relative importance following a large landslide-triggering earthquake remains poorly constrained. Here, we propose a model framework to quantify the post-seismic redistribution of soil-derived organic carbon. The approach combines predictions based on empirical observations of co-seismic sediment mobilization with a description of the physical and biogeochemical processes involved after an earthquake. Earthquake-triggered landslide populations are generated by randomly sampling a landslide area distribution, a proportion of which is initially connected to the fluvial network. Initially disconnected landslide deposits are transported downslope and connected to rivers at a constant velocity in the post-seismic period. Disconnected landslide deposits lose organic carbon by heterotrophic oxidation, while connected deposits lose organic carbon synchronously by both oxidation and river export. The modeling approach is numerically efficient and allows us to explore a large range of parameter values that exert a control on the fate of organic carbon in the upland erosional system. We explore the role of the climatic context (in terms of mean annual runoff and runoff variability) and rates of organic matter degradation using single pool and multi-pool models. Our results highlight the fact that the redistribution of organic carbon is strongly controlled by the annual runoff and the extent of landslide connection, but less so by the choice of organic matter degradation model. In the context of mountain ranges typical of the southwestern Pacific region, we find that model configurations allow more than 90 % of the landslide-mobilized carbon to be exported from mountain catchments. A simulation of earthquake cycles suggests efficient transfer of organic carbon out of a mountain range during the first decade of the post-seismic period. Pulsed erosion of organic matter by earthquake-triggered landslides is therefore an effective process to promote carbon sequestration in sedimentary deposits over thousands of years.

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