Mobilization of optically invisible dissolved organic matter in response to rainstorm events in a tropical forest headwater river

Pereira, Ryan; Bovolo, C. Isabella; Spencer, Robert G. M.; Hernes, Peter J.; Tipping, Edward ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6618-6512; Vieth-Hillebrand, Andrea; Pedentchouk, Nikolai; Chappell, Nick A.; Parkin, Geoff; Wagner, Thomas. 2014 Mobilization of optically invisible dissolved organic matter in response to rainstorm events in a tropical forest headwater river. Geophysical Research Letters, 41 (4). 1202-1208. 10.1002/2013GL058658

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Abstract/Summary

This study emphasizes the importance of rainstorm events in mobilizing carbon at the soil-stream interface from tropical rainforests. Half-hourly geochemical/isotopic records over a 13.5 h period from a 20 km2 tropical rainforest headwater in Guyana show an order of magnitude increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in less than 30 mins (10.6–114 mg/L). The composition of DOC varies significantly and includes optically invisible dissolved organic matter (iDOM) that accounts for a large proportion (4–89%) of the total DOC, quantified using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). SEC suggests that iDOM is comprised of low molecular weight organic moieties, which are likely sourced from fresh leaf litter and/or topsoil, as shown in soils from the surrounding environment. Although poorly constrained at present, the presence of iDOM further downstream during the wet season suggests that this organic matter fraction may represent an unquantified source of riverine CO2 outgassing in tropical headwaters, requiring further consideration.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1002/2013GL058658
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0094-8276
Additional Keywords:	DOC, headwaters, tropics, iDOM, invisible
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	16 Mar 2015 09:53 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/510083

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