Increases in terrestrially derived carbon stimulate organic carbon processing and CO2 emissions in boreal aquatic ecosystems

Jean-François Lapierre (), François Guillemette, Martin Berggren and Paul A. del Giorgio
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Jean-François Lapierre: Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie et en Environnement Aquatique (GRIL), Université du Québec à Montréal, Case Postale 8888, succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3P8
François Guillemette: Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie et en Environnement Aquatique (GRIL), Université du Québec à Montréal, Case Postale 8888, succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3P8
Martin Berggren: Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie et en Environnement Aquatique (GRIL), Université du Québec à Montréal, Case Postale 8888, succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3P8
Paul A. del Giorgio: Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie et en Environnement Aquatique (GRIL), Université du Québec à Montréal, Case Postale 8888, succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3P8

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The concentrations of terrestrially derived dissolved organic carbon have been increasing throughout northern aquatic ecosystems in recent decades, but whether these shifts have an impact on aquatic carbon emissions at the continental scale depends on the potential for this terrestrial carbon to be converted into carbon dioxide. Here, via the analysis of hundreds of boreal lakes, rivers and wetlands in Canada, we show that, contrary to conventional assumptions, the proportion of biologically degradable dissolved organic carbon remains constant and the photochemical degradability increases with terrestrial influence. Thus, degradation potential increases with increasing amounts of terrestrial carbon. Our results provide empirical evidence of a strong causal link between dissolved organic carbon concentrations and aquatic fluxes of carbon dioxide, mediated by the degradation of land-derived organic carbon in aquatic ecosystems. Future shifts in the patterns of terrestrial dissolved organic carbon in inland waters thus have the potential to significantly increase aquatic carbon emissions across northern landscapes.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3972

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