Organic matter distribution, composition and its possible fate in the Chilean North-Patagonian estuarine system

Abstract

The distribution, composition, and transport of both dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and POC) were studied across a terrestrial - marine transition system in the Chilean North-Patagonia (41°S).At the land-fjord boundary we reported: (i) high concentrations of both silicic acid (up to 100 μM) and integrated chlorophyll a (62 mg m−2), (ii) dominance of nanophytoplankton (63%), humic-, terrigenous-derived, and protein-like DOC (19 and 36%, respectively), and (iii) a shallow photic zone (12 m depth). In contrast, the estuarine-ocean boundary was characterized by (i) high concentrations of nitrate and phosphate (20 and 2 μM respectively) and low chlorophyll a concentration (11 mg m−2), (ii) dominance of microphytoplankton (59%) and tyrosine-like C3 autochthonous DOC (34%), and (iii) a deep photic zone (29 m depth).Allochthonous DOC input at the fjord head and the ocean accounted for 60% and 10% of total DOC, respectively. The input of humic-like substances was enhanced by intense forestry and agriculture activity around the Puelo River watershed, contributing from 50% to 14% of total DOC along the fjord - ocean transect. In contrast, autochthonous tyrosine-like substances increased from 25% to 41% of total DOC, highlighting the role of bacterial metabolism in regulating DOM composition. The high correlation (R2 = 0.7) between the UVC-humic:UVA-humic ratio and salinity suggest that processes associated to freshwater input impinged on the DOC chemical characteristics and origins. Overall, our observations support the view that climate warming (freshwater input) and anthropogenic practices (aquaculture) boost the mobilization of terrestrial carbon pools and their intrusion into coastal ocean areas, a process that should be given more attention in climate prediction models.