scholarly journals Carbon isotopes and lipid biomarker investigation of sources, transport and degradation of terrestrial organic matter in the Buor-Khaya Bay, SE Laptev Sea

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1865-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Karlsson ◽  
A. Charkin ◽  
O. Dudarev ◽  
I. Semiletov ◽  
J. E. Vonk ◽  
...  

Abstract. The world's largest continental shelf, the East Siberian Shelf Sea, receives substantial input of terrestrial organic carbon (terr-OC) from both large rivers and erosion of its coastline. Degradation of organic matter from thawing permafrost in the Arctic is likely to increase, potentially creating a positive feedback mechanism to climate warming. This study focuses on the Buor-Khaya Bay (SE Laptev Sea), an area with strong terr-OC input from both coastal erosion and the Lena river. To better understand the fate of this terr-OC, molecular (acyl lipid biomarkers) and isotopic tools (stable carbon and radiocarbon isotopes) have been applied to both particulate organic carbon (POC) in surface water and sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) collected from the underlying surface sediments. Clear gradients in both extent of degradation and differences in source contributions were observed both between surface water POC and surface sediment SOC as well as over the 100 s km investigation scale (about 20 stations). Depleted δ13C-OC and high HMW/LMW n-alkane ratios signaled that terr-OC was dominating over marine/planktonic sources. Despite a shallow water column (10–40 m), the isotopic shift between SOC and POC varied systematically from +2 to +5 per mil for δ13C and from +300 to +450 for Δ14C from the Lena prodelta to the Buor-Khaya Cape. At the same time, the ratio of HMW n-alkanoic acids to HMW n-alkanes as well as HMW n-alkane CPI, both indicative of degradation, were 5–6 times greater in SOC than in POC. This suggests that terr-OC was substantially older yet less degraded in the surface sediment than in the surface waters. This unusual vertical degradation trend was only recently found also for the central East Siberian Sea. Numerical modeling (Monte Carlo simulations) with δ13C and Δ14C in both POC and SOC was applied to deduce the relative contribution of – plankton OC, surface soil layer OC and yedoma/mineral soil OC. This three end-member dual-carbon-isotopic mixing model suggests quite different scenarios for the POC vs SOC. Surface soil is dominating (63 ± 10 %) the suspended organic matter in the surface water of SE Laptev Sea. In contrast, the yedoma/mineral soil OC is accounting for 60 ± 9 % of the SOC. We hypothesize that yedoma-OC, associated with mineral-rich matter from coastal erosion is ballasted and thus quickly settles to the bottom. The mineral association may also explain the greater resistance to degradation of this terr-OC component. In contrast, more amorphous humic-like and low-density terr-OC from surface soil and recent vegetation represents a younger but more bioavailable and thus degraded terr-OC component held buoyant in surface water. Hence, these two terr-OC components may represent different propensities to contribute to a positive feedback to climate warming by converting OC from coastal and inland permafrost into CO2.

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 3463-3496 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Karlsson ◽  
A. Charkin ◽  
O. Dudarev ◽  
I. Semiletov ◽  
J. E. Vonk ◽  
...  

Abstract. The world's largest continental shelf, the East Siberian Shelf Sea, receives substantial input of terrestrial organic carbon (terr-OC) from both large rivers and erosion of its coastline. Degradation of organic matter from thawing permafrost in the Arctic is likely to increase, potentially creating a positive feedback mechanism to climate warming. This study focuses on the Buor-Khaya Bay (SE Laptev Sea), an area with strong terr-OC input from both coastal erosion and the Lena river. To better understand the fate of this terr-OC, molecular (acyl lipid biomarkers) and isotopic tools (stable carbon and radiocarbon isotopes) have been applied to both particulate organic carbon (POC) in surface water and sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) collected from the underlying surface sediments. Clear gradients in both extent of degradation and differences in source contributions were observed both between surface water POC and surface sediment SOC as well as over the 100 s km investigation scale (about 20 stations). Depleted δ13C-OC and high HMW/LMW n-alkane ratios signaled that terr-OC was dominating over marine/planktonic sources. Despite a shallow water column (10–40 m), the isotopic shift between SOC and POC varied systematically from +2 to +5 per mil for δ13C and from +300 to +450 for Δ14C from the Lena prodelta to the Buor-Khaya Cape. At the same time, the ratio of HMW n-alkanoic acids to HMW n-alkanes as well as HMW n-alkane CPI, both indicative of degradation, were 5–6 times greater in SOC than in POC. This suggests that terr-OC was substantially older yet less degraded in the surface sediment than in the surface waters. This unusual vertical degradation trend was only recently found also for the central East Siberian Sea. Numerical modeling (Monte Carlo simulations) with δ13C and Δ14C in both POC and SOC was applied to deduce the relative contribution of plankton OC, surface soil layer OC and yedoma/mineral soil OC. This three end-member dual-carbon-isotopic mixing model suggests quite different scenarios for the POC vs SOC. Surface soil is dominating (63 ± 10%) the suspended organic matter in the surface water of SE Laptev Sea. In contrast, the yedoma/mineral soil OC is accounting for 60 ± 9% of the SOC. We hypothesize that yedoma-OC, associated with mineral-rich matter from coastal erosion is ballasted and thus quickly settles to the bottom. The mineral association may also explain the greater resistance to degradation of this terr-OC component. In contrast, more amorphous humic-like and low-density terr-OC from surface soil and recent vegetation represents a younger but more bioavailable and thus degraded terr-OC component held buoyant in surface water. Hence,these two terr-OC components may represent different propensities to contribute to a positive feedback to climate warming by converting OC from coastal and inland permafrost into CO2.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3153-3166 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Vonk ◽  
L. Sánchez-García ◽  
I. Semiletov ◽  
O. Dudarev ◽  
T. Eglinton ◽  
...  

Abstract. Climate warming in northeastern Siberia may induce thaw-mobilization of the organic carbon (OC) now held in permafrost. This study investigated the composition of terrestrial OC exported to Arctic coastal waters to both obtain a natural integration of terrestrial permafrost OC release and to further understand the fate of released carbon in the extensive Siberian Shelf Seas. Application of a variety of elemental, molecular and isotopic (δ13C and Δ14C) analyses of both surface water suspended particulate matter and underlying surface sediments along a 500 km transect from Kolyma River mouth to the mid-shelf of the East Siberian Sea yielded information on the sources, degradation status and transport processes of thaw-mobilized soil OC. A three end-member dual-carbon-isotopic mixing model was applied to deduce the relative contributions from riverine, coastal erosion and marine sources. The mixing model was solved numerically using Monte Carlo simulations to obtain a fair representation of the uncertainties of both end-member composition and the end results. Riverine OC contributions to sediment OC decrease with increasing distance offshore (35±15 to 13±9%), whereas coastal erosion OC exhibits a constantly high contribution (51±11 to 60±12%) and marine OC increases offshore (9±7 to 36±10%). We attribute the remarkably strong imprint of OC from coastal erosion, extending up to ~500 km from the coast, to efficient offshoreward transport in these shallow waters presumably through both the benthic boundary layer and ice-rafting. There are also indications of simultaneous selective preservation of erosion OC compared to riverine OC. Molecular degradation proxies and radiocarbon contents indicated a degraded but young (Δ14C ca. −60‰ or ca. 500 14C years) terrestrial OC pool in surface water particulate matter, underlain by a less degraded but old (Δ14C ca. −500‰ or ca. 5500 14C years) terrestrial OC pool in bottom sediments. We suggest that the terrestrial OC fraction in surface water particulate matter is mainly derived from surface soil and recent vegetation fluvially released as buoyant organic-rich aggregates (e.g., humics), which are subjected to extensive processing during coastal transport. In contrast, terrestrial OC in the underlying sediments is postulated to originate predominantly from erosion of mineral-rich Pleistocene coasts (i.e., yedoma) and inland mineral soils. Sorptive association of this organic matter with mineral particles protects the OC from remineralization and also promotes rapid settling (ballasting) of the OC. Our findings corroborate recent studies by indicating that different Arctic surface soil OC pools exhibit distinguishing susceptibilities to degradation in coastal waters. Consequently, the general postulation of a positive feedback to global warming from degradation of permafrost carbon may be both attenuated (by reburial of one portion) and geographically displaced (degradation of released terrestrial permafrost OC far out over the Arctic shelf seas).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Oberemok ◽  
Elena Gershelis ◽  
Andrey Grin’ko ◽  
Alexey Ruban ◽  
Elizaveta Klevantseva ◽  
...  

<p>Accelerating coastal erosion and enhancing river sediment discharge are expected to greatly increase the delivery of terrestrial organic carbon (terrOC) to the Arctic Ocean. Remobilized terrOC may be buried in shallow or outer shelf sediments, degraded and translocated to the deeper basins, or remineralized in the water column causing a positive feedback to amplified global warming. The East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS), represented by the Laptev Sea, the East Siberian Sea, and the Russian part of the Chukchi Sea, is the widest and shallowest continental shelf of the World Ocean. In the current study, we investigated surface sediment samples collected across the Laptev Sea shelf (from the coastline to the outer shelf) during the Arctic expedition onboard the Russian <em>R/V Academician M. Keldysh</em> during fall 2018.</p><p>We analyzed 16 samples for bulk (TOC, <em>δ</em>13C) and molecular (distribution and concentration of n-alkanes and PAHs) parameters. We also performed Rock-Eval (RE) analysis in order to compare its results with the signatures provided by traditional geochemical tracers and thereby to gain new insights into the sources of organic matter in modern surface sediments. In addition, a grain-size analysis was carried out to reveal hydrodynamic control on the organic carbon transport across the studied transect. Using a combination of traditional molecular interpretations (performed in this study and published earlier) and RE parameters (Hydrogen index, Oxygen index and T<sub>peak</sub>) we attempted to distinguish riverine input and coastal erosion and disentangle processes of terrOC degradation and its replacement with fresh/marine OC during cross-shelf transport. Overall, a strong decrease of terrigenous contribution to the sedimentary organic carbon was observed on molecular level with increasing distance from the coast. According to the RE data, intensive terrOC degradation takes place in the shallow and mid-shelf sediments which is traced by sharply increasing oxygen index. The clear correlation between OI and the clay content points toward the perception that mineral matrix do not seem to be such good protector as expected, and intensive microbial degradation of the sedimentary organic matter contained in fine particles occurs during repeated resuspension.</p><p>This research is supported by Russian Science Foundation, project # 19-77-00067.</p>


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 5191-5226
Author(s):  
J. E. Vonk ◽  
L. Sánchez-García ◽  
I. P. Semiletov ◽  
O. V. Dudarev ◽  
T. I. Eglinton ◽  
...  

Abstract. Climate warming in Northeastern Siberia may induce thaw-remobilization of the organic carbon (OC) now held in permafrost. This study investigated the composition of terrestrial OC exported to Arctic coastal waters to both obtain a natural integration of terrestrial permafrost OC release and to further understand the fate of remobilized carbon in the extensive Siberian Shelf Seas. Application of a variety of elemental, molecular and isotopic (δ13C and Δ14C) analyses of both surface water suspended particulate matter and underlying surface sediments along a 500 km transect from Kolyma River mouth to the mid-shelf of the East Siberian Sea yielded information on the sources, degradation status and transport processes of thaw-remobilized soil OC. A three end-member dual-carbon-isotopic mixing model was applied to deduce the relative contributions from riverine, coastal erosion and marine sources. The mixing model was solved numerically using Monte Carlo simulations to obtain a fair representation of the uncertainties of both end-member composition and the end results. Riverine OC contributions to sediment OC decrease with increasing distance offshore (35±15 to 13±9%), whereas coastal erosion OC exhibits a constantly high contribution (51±1 to 60±12%) and marine OC increases offshore ward (9±7 to 36±10%). We attribute the remarkably strong imprint of OC from coastal erosion, extending up to ~500 km from the coast, to efficient offshoreward transport in these shallow waters presumably through both the benthic boundary layer and ice-rafting. There are also indications of simultaneous selective preservation of erosion OC compared to riverine OC. Molecular degradation proxies and radiocarbon contents indicated a degraded but young (Δ14C ca. −60‰ or ca. 500 14C yr) terrestrial OC pool in surface water particulate matter, underlain by a less degraded but old (Δ14C ca. −500‰ or ca. 5500 14C yr) terrestrial OC pool in bottom sediments. We suggest that the terrestrial OC fraction in surface water particulate matter is mainly derived from surface soil and recent vegetation fluvially released as buoyant organic-rich aggregates (e.g., humics), which are subjected to extensive processing during coastal transport. In contrast, terrestrial OC in the underlying sediments is postulated to originate predominantly from erosion of mineral-rich Pleistocene coasts (i.e., yedoma) and inland mineral soils. Sorptive association of this organic matter with mineral particles protects the OC from remineralization and also promotes rapid settling (ballasting) of the OC. Our findings corroborate recent studies by indicating that different Arctic surface soil OC pools exhibit distinguishing susceptibilities to degradation in coastal waters. Consequently, the general postulation of a positive feedback to global warming from remineralization of permafrost carbon may be both attenuated (by reburial of one portion) and geographically displaced (degradation of released terrestrial permafrost OC far out over the Arctic shelf seas).


1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 678-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Tan ◽  
P. M. Strain

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


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Bristol ◽  
Craig T. Connolly ◽  
Thomas D. Lorenson ◽  
Bruce M. Richmond ◽  
Anastasia G. Ilgen ◽  
...  

Accelerating erosion of the Alaska Beaufort Sea coast is increasing inputs of organic matter from land to the Arctic Ocean, and improved estimates of organic matter stocks in eroding coastal permafrost are needed to assess their mobilization rates under contemporary conditions. We collected three permafrost cores (4.5–7.5 m long) along a geomorphic gradient near Drew Point, Alaska, where recent erosion rates average 17.2 m year−1. Down-core patterns indicate that organic-rich soils and lacustrine sediments (12–45% total organic carbon; TOC) in the active layer and upper permafrost accumulated during the Holocene. Deeper permafrost (below 3 m elevation) mainly consists of Late Pleistocene marine sediments with lower organic matter content (∼1% TOC), lower C:N ratios, and higher δ13C values. Radiocarbon-based estimates of organic carbon accumulation rates were 11.3 ± 3.6 g TOC m−2 year−1 during the Holocene and 0.5 ± 0.1 g TOC m−2 year−1 during the Late Pleistocene (12–38 kyr BP). Within relict marine sediments, porewater salinities increased with depth. Elevated salinity near sea level (∼20–37 in thawed samples) inhibited freezing despite year-round temperatures below 0°C. We used organic matter stock estimates from the cores in combination with remote sensing time-series data to estimate carbon fluxes for a 9 km stretch of coastline near Drew Point. Erosional fluxes of TOC averaged 1,369 kg C m−1 year−1 during the 21st century (2002–2018), nearly doubling the average flux of the previous half-century (1955–2002). Our estimate of the 21st century erosional TOC flux year−1 from this 9 km coastline (12,318 metric tons C year−1) is similar to the annual TOC flux from the Kuparuk River, which drains a 8,107 km2 area east of Drew Point and ranks as the third largest river on the North Slope of Alaska. Total nitrogen fluxes via coastal erosion at Drew Point were also quantified, and were similar to those from the Kuparuk River. This study emphasizes that coastal erosion represents a significant pathway for carbon and nitrogen trapped in permafrost to enter modern biogeochemical cycles, where it may fuel food webs and greenhouse gas emissions in the marine environment.


2017 ◽  
pp. 780-787
Author(s):  
Torleif Bramryd ◽  
Michael Johansson

Provided that produced biogas is effectively collected, landfills are important sinks for organic carbon compensating for emissions of CO2 from burning of fossil fuels. Sequestrating of long-lived organic carbon in the landfill itself is the most pronounced factor, but also other processes during landfill management will increase the capture and binding of CO2.. Compost produced in connection to the landfills and applied as soil improvement, is another important sink for organic carbon.The landfills in the World have been estimated to accumulate around 100 x 106 metric tons of C. Normally about 25-40 percent of the total carbon content in the waste can be converted into biogas in traditional landfills. During landfilling most of the organic carbon in fossil derived products, like plastics, synthetic rubber, textiles and other synthetic materials, As these products take part in the methane gas production, the landfill gas (biogas) can be regarded as a true biofuel. In contrast to incineration, high moisture content in the waste will not decrease the yield of energy per ton of waste. In a reactor landfill treating approximately 100 000 tons of waste per year, a longlived organic fraction corresponding to about 45 000 metric tons of carbon dioxide is longterm accumulated each year. This compensates for the annual carbon dioxide emissions from about 15 000 – 20 000 cars, provided that each one runs 15 000 km per year with fossil fuel. The technique for effective collection of landfill gas, and new techniques to upgrade and liquefy the biogas, have decreased the risk for emissions to the atmosphere. Modern bioreactor landfills have been estimated to have less than 10% diffuse biogas emissions to the atmosphere. Also in Sweden (Helsingborg), plants are built to convert landfill gas to upgraded, liquefied motor fuel. This will lead to strongly reduced diffuse emissions of landfill gas to the atmosphere. The utilization of leachates as forest fertilizer results in an improved biomass production and increased accumulation of soil organic matter. Increased tree and field layer productivity also means that the potential for water evaporation (eg. evapotranspiration) increase, reducing the costs for waste-water treatment or the risk for diffuse ground water pollution. Also in the mineral soil, increased long-lived fractions of humus normally are found. This should be added to the carbon accumulating effect of the landfill itself, where long-lived organic matter, mainly derived from lignin and from fossil fractions as plastics and synthetic textiles is long-term accumulated. In this respect the landfill system has similar effects compared to natural peatlands and lake and sea sediments, Ifproduced biogas is collected effectively, the landfill thus can be an important factor to counteract the “green-house effect” and climate change.


1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 179-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. Miettinen ◽  
P. J. Martikainen ◽  
T. Vartiainen

Transformations in the amount and quality of organic matter (humus) during bank filtration of surface water were studied by analyzing the changes in total organic carbon (TOC), non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), color of water, and UV absorbing humus fractions. The amount of organic matter expressed as TOC, NPOC, and COD depended on temperature and filtration distance from lake water. The color of water and the UV absorbing humus peaks presenting different humus molecule fractions decreased more effectively than other parameters measuring the amount of organic matter in water. The ratio of COD to TOC decreased when the filtration distance of water increased. Our observations indicated that bank filtration of humus-rich lake water changed more the quality of organic matter than its total amount.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Pasicha Chaikaew ◽  
Suchana Chavanich

Degradation and destruction of mangrove forests in many regions have resulted in the alteration of carbon cycling. Objectives of this study were established to answer the question regarding how much soil organic carbon (SOC) is stored in wetland soils in part of the upper northeastern Gulf of Thailand and to what extent SOC is related to organic matter (OM). A total of 29 soil samples were collected in October 2015. Soil physiochemical analyses followed the standard protocol. Spatial distributions were estimated by a kriging method. Linear regression and coefficient were used to determine the suitable conversion factor for mangrove soils. The results showed that surface soil (0–5 cm) contained higher SOC content as compared to subsurface soil (5–10 cm). Considering a depth of 10 cm, this area had a high potential to sequester carbon with a mean ± standard deviation of5.59±2.24%. The spatial variability of OM and SOC revealed that organic matter and carbon decreased with the distance from upstream areas toward the gulf. Based on the assumption that OM is 50% SOC, the conversion factor of 2 is recommended for more accuracy rather than the conventional factor of 1.724.


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