Temporal dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in mountain lakes: the role of catchment characteristics

Abstract

Climate change is affecting mountain ecosystems by increasing vegetation coverage and altering meteorological conditions. These changes are likely to impact the timing and magnitude of dissolved organic matter (DOM) inputs to lakes from the surrounding catchment. We examined temporal dynamics of DOM using in situ optical sensors that measured DOM fluorescence (fDOM) through the ice-free season in five lakes with differing catchment characteristics. We also measured changes in lake level and compiled daily meteorological data from nearby weather stations. At a seasonal time scale, fDOM dynamics occurred in two phases. fDOM declined in the first phase, which lasted until late July – mid-August, and corresponded to a decline in lake level following spring snowmelt. This decline was more pronounced in lakes with more vegetated catchments. At a shorter time scale, fDOM increased following precipitation events with a 0- to 1-day lag. Rates of fDOM increase per centmetre change in lake level were greater in lakes with vegetated catchments. As climate change increases vegetation coverage, DOM will likely become more dynamic at daily and seasonal time scales and impact water transparency and productivity of mountain lakes.