Multiple controls on carbon dynamics in mixed karst and non-karst mountainous rivers, Southwest China, revealed by carbon isotopes (δ13C and Δ14C)

Abstract

Riverine transport of carbon from the land to the oceans plays a significant role in global carbon cycle. However, multiple processes can affect aquatic carbon cycling, and the carbon sources and processing in river systems are still elusive. Here, we analysed the water chemistry and dual carbon isotopes (δ13C and Δ14C) of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) from mixed karst and non-karst subtropical monsoonal catchments, southwest China. The water chemistry of the river water showed that DIC concentrations were mainly controlled by carbonate weathering and modulated by agricultural activities and geomorphic characteristics (i.e. elevation and slope), but the stable isotope of DIC (δ13CDIC) was highly affected by CO2 outgassing and in-stream photosynthesis. The C/N ratios and stable isotope of POC (δ13CPOC) indicated that the composition of riverine POC derived from a mixture of terrestrial sources and algae/microbial sources. Based on the δ13C and Δ14C of POC, we used a Bayesian mixing model to constrain the POC sources, which showed that aquatic photosynthesis was the main source for POC. Our findings suggest that carbon dynamics in subtropical rivers are highly affected by aquatic photosynthesis, which has significant implications on carbon cycling within river systems.