Global patterns and sources of dissolved organic matter export to the coastal zone: Results from a spatially explicit, global model

Abstract

Here we describe, test, and apply a system of spatially explicit, global models for predicting river export of three dissolved organic matter (DOM) components: dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP). The DON and DOP models represent the first attempt to model DON and DOP export in a spatially explicit, global manner. DOC, DON, and DOP models explain 88%, 77%, and 91% of the variability in DOC, DON, and DOP yield (kg C, N, or P km−2 yr−1) from validation basins, respectively, and all models are relatively bias free. When applied globally, these models predict that 170 Tg C yr−1, 10 Tg N yr−1, and 0.6 Tg P yr−1 are exported by rivers to the coastal zone as DOC, DON, and DOP, respectively. Because predicted spatial patterns of export for DOC, DON, and DOP are all largely driven by water runoff, geographic distributions of high and low fluxes are fairly consistent across elements, with high fluxes of DOC, DON, and DOP generally predicted for high runoff systems and low fluxes predicted for arid systems. However, there are important regional differences in predicted rates of DOC, DON, and DOP export due to anthropogenic inputs of DON and DOP and wetland influence on DOC.