Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1080/10256016.2017.1282478
Title (Primary) Stable isotope mass balances versus concentration differences of dissolved inorganic carbon – implications for tracing carbon turnover in reservoirs
Author Barth, J.A.C.; Mader, M.; Nenning, F.; van Geldern, R.; Friese, K.
Source Titel Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies
Year 2017
Department SEEFO
Volume 53
Issue 4
Page From 413
Page To 426
Language englisch
Keywords Algae; aquatic carbon species; carbon cycle; carbon-13; carbon turnover; DIC; DOC; isotope geochemistry; lakes; POC; reservoirs
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract The aim of this study was to identify sources of carbon turnover using stable isotope mass balances. For this purpose, two pre-reservoirs in the Harz Mountains (Germany) were investigated for their dissolved and particulate carbon contents (dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon) together with their stable carbon isotope ratios. DIC concentration depth profiles from March 2012 had an average of 0.33 mmol L–1. Increases in DIC concentrations later on in the year often corresponded with decreases in its carbon isotope composition (δ13CDIC) with the most negative value of –18.4 ‰ in September. This led to a carbon isotope mass balance with carbon isotope inputs of −28.5 ‰ from DOC and −23.4, −31.8 and −30.7 ‰ from algae, terrestrial and sedimentary matter, respectively. Best matches between calculated and measured DIC gains were achieved when using the isotope composition of algae. This shows that this type of organic material is most likely responsible for carbon additions to the DIC pool when its concentrations and δ13CDIC values correlate negatively. The presented isotope mass balance is transferable to other surface water and groundwater systems for quantification of organic matter turnover.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=18613
Barth, J.A.C., Mader, M., Nenning, F., van Geldern, R., Friese, K. (2017):
Stable isotope mass balances versus concentration differences of dissolved inorganic carbon – implications for tracing carbon turnover in reservoirs
Isot. Environ. Health Stud. 53 (4), 413 - 426 10.1080/10256016.2017.1282478