Production of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Canadian Forest Soils

Explore variations of DOM components in different landcover areas of riparian zone by EEM-PARAFAC and partial least squares structural equation model

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays key roles in species-distribution of contaminants and the biogeochemical cycle of carbon in ecosystems. Riparian zone is the representative of water-land ecotone and controls the DOM exchange between water and land. However, the variance of DOM in different landcover areas of an urban river riparian zone is unknown. In this study, fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was applied to character dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions in four types of landcover riparian areas (natural forest, artificial forest, semi-natural grassland, and cropland) of Puhe River and trace latent factors. Soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, and 60-80 cm. The results showed that soil DOM components and humification varied between forests with grassland and cropland samples, and soil humification was obviously higher in the forest samples than that in the grassland and cropland samples. In the natural and artificial forest soils, the humic/fulvic-like were the dominant fractions of DOM, whose variations were smaller than the protein-like with soil depths. However, the tyrosine-like was the representative component in the grassland and cropland soils, whose variation was smaller than the humus substances. According to the PLS-SEM, the DOM components and humification were affected by soil physiochemical properties and DOM sources. The humification in the forest soils had a positive correlation with tryptophan-like, which derived from blended source of the autochthonous and terrigenous. Nevertheless, a positive correlation was observed between humification and humus substances, which could derive from microbial degradation of tyrosine-like, in the grassland and cropland soils. Moreover, the soil physiochemical properties were negatively related to DOM components in all soil samples, which could affect indirectly soil humification. Therefore, EEM combined with PARAFAC and PLS-SEM might be an effective method to investigate DOM fractions and trace the latent factors in different landcover areas of the riparian zone.

Concentration and biodegradability of dissolved organic carbon derived from soils: A global perspective

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), as active and mobile carbon, plays a critical role in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, it remains unclear how the concentration and biodegradability of soil-derived DOC (extracted from pore water or soil leachates) vary over a global scale and what determines the variations in DOC concentration and biodegradability. Here we addressed this issue by synthesizing the dataset involved in 121 sites from 39 literatures worldwide, and analyzed the patterns and drivers of DOC concentration and biodegradability. Our results showed that the DOC concentration in either pore water or soil leachates varied considerably, with mean values of 33.2 mg L^-1 in pore water and 213.5 mg kg^-1 in soil leachates, respectively. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) was the dominant control on the variability in soil-derived DOC concentration. Our results also revealed that the biodegradability of DOC in pore water was significantly lower than that in soil leachates, with the means of 16.5% versus 28.7%, respectively. Specific UV absorbance (SUVA₂₅₄, a parameter used for evaluating dissolved aromatic carbon content) was the primary indicator predicting the spatial variation in DOC biodegradability, whereas MAP exerted limited effects on DOC biodegradability. These results demonstrate the high biodegradability of soil-derived DOC, highlighting its crucial role in the global carbon cycle under climate change.

Estimating dissolved carbon concentrations in global soils: a global database and model

Dissolved carbon (C) leaching in and from soils plays an important role in C transport along the terrestrial-aquatic continuum. However, a global overview and analysis of dissolved carbon in soil solutions, covering a wide range of vegetation types and climates, is lacking. We compiled a global database on annual average dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in soil solutions, including potential governing factors, with 762 entries from 351 different sites covering a range of climate zones, land cover types and soil classes. Using this database we develop regression models to calculate topsoil concentrations, and concentrations versus depth in the subsoil at the global scale. For DIC, the lack of a proportional globally distributed cover inhibits analysis on a global scale. For DOC, annual average concentrations range from 1.7 to 88.3 (median = 25.27) mg C/L for topsoils (n = 255) and from 0.42 to 372.1 (median = 5.50) mg C/L for subsoils (n = 285, excluding lab incubations). Highest topsoil values occur in forests of cooler, humid zones. In topsoils, multiple regression showed that precipitation is the most significant factor. Our global topsoil DOC model ($${\mathrm{R}}^{2}=0.36$$ R 2 = 0.36 ) uses precipitation, soil class, climate zone and land cover type as model factors. Our global subsoil model describes DOC concentrations vs. depth for different USDA soil classes (overall ($${\mathrm{R}}^{2}=0.45$$ R 2 = 0.45 ). Highest subsoil DOC concentrations are calculated for Histosols.

Chronic nitrogen addition promotes dissolved organic carbon accumulation in a temperate freshwater wetland

Temperate wetlands have been undergoing increased nitrogen (N) inputs in the past decades, yet its influence on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics is still elusive in these ecosystems. Here, using a field multi-level N addition (0, 6, 12, and 24 g N m^-2 year^-1) experiment, we investigated the changes in aboveground plant biomass, DOC production from plant litters, DOC biodegradation, and DOC concentration in surface water and soil pore water (0-15 cm depth) following 10 years of N addition in a freshwater marsh of Northeast China. We observed that, irrespective of N addition levels, N addition caused an increase in DOC production from plant litters under both non-flooded and flooded conditions. Conversely, DOC biodegradation was inhibited by N addition in both surface water and soil pore water. Because of enhanced DOC production from plant litters and declined DOC biodegradation, N addition elevated DOC concentration in surface water and soil pore water across the growing season. In addition, long-term N addition increased aboveground plant biomass, but decreased species richness. Our results suggest that long-term N enrichment promotes DOC accumulation through the contrasting effects on litter-derived DOC production and microbial decomposition of DOC in temperate wetlands.

Simulation of dissolved organic carbon concentrations and fluxes in Chinese monsoon forest ecosystems using a modified TRIPLEX-DOC model

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays an important role in global and regional carbon cycles. However, the quantification of DOC in forest ecosystems remains uncertain. Here, the processed-based biogeochemical model TRIPLEX-DOC was modified by optimizing the function of soil organic carbon distribution with increasing depths, as well as DOC sorption-desorption efficiency. The model was validated by field measurements of DOC concentration and flux at five forest sites and Beijiang River basin in monsoon regions of China. Model validation indicated that seasonal patterns of DOC concentration across climatic zones were different, and these differences were captured by our model. Importantly, the modified model performed better than the original model. Indeed, model efficiency of the modified model increased from -0.78 to 0.19 for O horizon predictions, and from -0.46 to 0.42 for the mineral soils predictions. Likewise, DOC fluxes were better simulated by the modified model. At the site scale, the simulated DOC fluxes were strongly correlated with the observed values (R² = 0.97, EF = 0.91). At the regional scale, the DOC flux predicted in the Beijiang River basin was 16.44 kg C/ha, which was close to the observed value of 17 kg C/ha. Using sensitivity analysis, we showed that temperature, precipitation and temperature sensitivity of DOC decomposition (Q₁₀) were the most sensitive parameters when predicting DOC concentrations and fluxes in forest soils. We also found that both the percentage of DOC flux to forest net ecosystem productivity, and the retention of DOC by mineral soil were highly correlated with the amount of precipitation. Overall, our model validations indicated that the modified TRIPLEX-DOC model is a useful tool for simulating the dynamics of DOC concentrations and fluxes in forest ecosystems. We highlight that more accurate estimates of parameter Q₁₀ in deep mineral soils can reduce model uncertainty, when simulating DOC concentrations and fluxes in forest soils.

Minimal climate change impacts on natural organic matter forecasted for a potable water supply in Ireland

Natural organic matter poses an increasing challenge to water managers because of its potential adverse impacts on water treatment and distribution, and subsequently human health. Projections were made of impacts of climate change on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the primarily agricultural Boyne catchment which is used as a potable water supply in Ireland. The results indicated that excluding a potential rise in extreme precipitation, future projected loads are not dissimilar to those observed under current conditions. This is because projected increases in DOC concentrations are offset by corresponding decreases in precipitation and hence river flow. However, the results presented assume no changes in land use and highlight the predicted increase in DOC loads from abstracted waters at water treatment plants.

Dissolved organic carbon in a constructed and natural fens in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada

In the Athabasca oil sands region near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, peatlands are disturbed extensively in order to recover bitumen below the surface. Hence, following oil sands mining, landscape reclamation is a part of the mine closure process in order to return functioning ecosystems, including peatlands, to the region. This study was conducted at a pilot fen reclamation project and three other diverse natural (poor, rich and saline) fens in the oil sands region during the growing seasons of 2013 and 2014, the first and second year post-construction. Ecosystem functioning of the constructed fen (CF) was evaluated with reference to natural fens based on pore water dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and chemistry. Significant variation of DOC concentration among the reference fens was observed, varying from an average of 42.0mg/L at the rich fen (RF) to 70.8mg/L at the saline fen (SF). Dissolved organic carbon concentration at CF was significantly lower than at all reference fens, but increased significantly over the first two years. Seasonal variation of DOC concentration was also observed in each site with concentration increasing over the growing season. At CF, DOC was comprised of larger, more humic and complex aromatic compounds than reference fens in the first year post-construction based on its spectrophotometric properties; however, these differences were reduced in the second year. Initial DOC concentration and chemistry at CF was indicative of the source being largely the peat placed during fen construction. Changes in chemistry and increasing concentration of DOC in the second growing season likely resulted from increasing inputs from plants established on site. These results suggest that DOC concentration is likely to increase in future at CF as vascular plant productivity increases and in response to salinity sourced from tailing sand used to construct the catchment.

Evaluating the impacts of landscape positions and nitrogen fertilizer rates on dissolved organic carbon on switchgrass land seeded on marginally yielding cropland

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) through leaching into the soils is another mechanism of net C loss. It plays an important role in impacting the environment and impacted by soil and crop management practices. However, little is known about the impacts of landscape positions and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates on DOC leaching in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). This experimental design included three N fertilizer rates [0 (low); 56 (medium); 112 (high) kg N ha(-1)] and three landscape positions (shoulder, backslope and footslope). Daily average DOC contents at backslope were significantly lower than that at shoulder and footslope. The DOC contents from the plots that received medium N rate were also significantly lower than the plots that received low N rates. The interactions of landscape and N rates on DOC contents were different in every year from 2009 to 2014, however, no significant consistent trend of DOC contents was observed over time. Annual average DOC contents from the plots managed with low N rate were higher than those with high N rate. These contents at the footslope were higher than that at the shoulder position. Data show that there is a moderate positive relationship between the total average DOC contents and the total average switchgrass biomass yields. Overall, the DOC contents from leachate in the switchgrass land were significantly influenced by landscape positions and N rates. The N fertilization reduced DOC leaching contents in switchgrass field. The switchgrass could retain soil and environment sustainability to some extent. These findings will assist in understanding the mechanism of changes in DOC contents with various parameters in the natural environment and crop management systems. However, use of long-term data might help to better assess the effects of above factors on DOC leaching contents and loss in the switchgrass field in the future.

Long-term behavior of groundwater chemistry in a periodically rewetted fen area covered with macrophytes

We studied the long-term changes in groundwater composition in the context of peat restoration at a degraded water-table managed peatland site typical for many agriculturally used fen areas in the northern hemisphere. At the study site, peatland rewetting with groundwater control and pumped canal water was carried out in two periods: from 1997 to 2002 and from 2011 to 2013. The site was not managed between 2002 and 2011, which led to an unstable groundwater table that had declined in part. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of rewetting and desiccation on groundwater chemistry. We pursued a multivariate approach using nonlinear principal component analysis (Isomap) to identify the prevailing processes that control the groundwater quality in this system. Sixteen years after peatland restoration, the groundwater quality had significantly improved. Principal component analysis revealed that hydrological processes had a major impact on groundwater quality, i.e. fluctuations between upwelling of local, salt-influenced groundwater and downwelling of surface and rainwater (first principal component) as well as upwelling of regional groundwater from deeper layers (second principal component) which originated from the catchment. In particular, the upwelling of regional deep groundwater had a strong positive impact on the groundwater quality of upper layers at the Biesenbrow site. Another major impact on groundwater quality was nutrient withdrawal by macrophytes and incorporation into organic matter. In the upper groundwater layer, peat mineralization processes resulted in substantially increased SO4 concentrations. We concluded that potential matter release after rewetting is buffered by hydrological barriers, and seems to be marginal with little impact on adjacent environments in the long term. The ecosystem is sustainably stabilized, and therefore has no negative impact on groundwater quality during periods of water shortage. Due to the strong influence of regional groundwater, management measures in the catchment are very important for maintaining and improving groundwater quality in peatlands.

Dissolved organic carbon in headwater streams and riparian soil organic carbon along an altitudinal gradient in the Wuyi Mountains, China

Stream water dissolved organic carbon (DOC) correlates positively with soil organic carbon (SOC) in many biomes. Does this relationship hold in a small geographic region when variations of temperature, precipitation and vegetation are driven by a significant altitudinal gradient? We examined the spatial connectivity between concentrations of DOC in headwater stream and contents of riparian SOC and water-soluble soil organic carbon (WSOC), riparian soil C:N ratio, and temperature in four vegetation types along an altitudinal gradient in the Wuyi Mountains, China. Our analyses showed that annual mean concentrations of headwater stream DOC were lower in alpine meadow (AM) than in subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest (EBF), coniferous forest (CF), and subalpine dwarf forest (SDF). Headwater stream DOC concentrations were negatively correlated with riparian SOC as well as WSOC contents, and were unrelated to riparian soil C:N ratio. Our findings suggest that DOC concentrations in headwater streams are affected by different factors at regional and local scales. The dilution effect of higher precipitation and adsorption of soil DOC to higher soil clay plus silt content at higher elevation may play an important role in causing lower DOC concentrations in AM stream of the Wuyi Mountains. Our results suggest that upscaling and downscaling of the drivers of DOC export from forested watersheds when exploring the response of carbon flux to climatic change or other drivers must done with caution.

Characteristics of dissolved organic matter following 20years of peatland restoration

The changes in the amounts and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) following long-term peat restoration are unknown, although this fraction of soil organic matter affects many processes in such ecosystems. We addressed this lack of knowledge by investigating a peatland in south-west Germany that was partly rewetted 20 years ago. A successfully restored site and a moderately drained site were compared, where the mean groundwater levels were close to the soil surface and around 30 cm below surface, respectively. The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at 4 depths were measured over one year. The specific absorbance was measured at 280 nm and the fluorescence spectra were used to describe the aromaticity and complexity of DOM. The investigations showed that 20 years of peatland restoration was able to create typical peatland conditions. The rewetted site had significantly lower DOC concentrations at different depths compared to the drained site. The specific UV absorbance showed that the rewetted site had a lower level of aromatic DOM structures. The decreasing specific UV absorbance might indicate an increasing contribution of small organic molecules to DOM. It was hypothesized that the decreasing DOC concentrations and the relative enrichment of small, readily degradable organic molecules, reflect the slower decomposition of organic matter after the re-establishment of the water table. Seasonal trends provided substantial evidence for our hypothesis that reduced DOC concentrations were caused by reduced peat decomposition. During summer, the elevated DOC values were accompanied by an increase in DOM aromaticity and complexity. Our results demonstrated a close link between C mineralization and DOC production. We concluded that long-term peatland restoration in the form of the successful re-establishment of the water table might result in reduced peat decomposition and lower DOC concentrations. The restoration of peatlands seems to have a positive impact on C sequestration.