Unexpected shifts of dissolved carbon biogeochemistry caused by anthropogenic disturbances in karst rivers

Abstract

Dissolved carbon (C) provides critical feedbacks to regional biogeochemical processes and global C cycling. Yet to date, the specific pathways of fluvial dissolved C turnover, particularly with human-induced shifts involved, are still poorly understood. Here, we examined dissolved inorganic (DIC) and organic C (DOC), as well as human disturbances i.e., river damming and land use in karst rivers. We show that anthropogenic activities caused unexpected shifts to dissolved C biogeochemistry. Specifically, we found that human disturbances accelerated aquatic metabolism, ultimately causing more river CO2 generation than fixation. The extended hydrological retention by damming greatly stimulated biological utilization of dissolved C. River DOC was sourced largely from farmland and forest, while land-use fragmentation increased DOC diversity. Artificial dams and land uses intensified the transformations between DIC and DOC within karst environments. Based on these findings, we provided a process-based conceptual model regarding the rapid cycle of active C in karst waters, revealing the associated trajectories of DIC and DOC biogeochemistry. This study suggests that reducing anthropogenic disturbances essentially decelerates organic C metabolism, and therefore promotes riverine CO2 sequestration in the context of global C neutrality.