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Dissolved black carbon is not likely a significant refractory organic carbon pool in rivers and oceans

Author

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  • Yuanzhi Qi

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China)

  • Wenjing Fu

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China)

  • Jiwei Tian

    (Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China)

  • Chunle Luo

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China)

  • Sen Shan

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China)

  • Shuwen Sun

    (Center for Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology)

  • Peng Ren

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China
    Center for Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology)

  • Hongmei Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China)

  • Jiwen Liu

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China)

  • Xiaohua Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China)

  • Xuchen Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education/ Center for Frontier Science of Deep Ocean and Earth System, Ocean University of China
    Center for Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology)

Abstract

Rivers are the major carriers of dissolved black carbon (DBC) from land to ocean; the sources of DBC during its continuous transformation and cycling in the ocean, however, are not well characterized. Here, we present new carbon isotope data for DBC in four large and two small mountainous rivers, the Yangtze and Yellow river estuaries, the East China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. We found that the carbon isotope signatures of DBC are relatively homogeneous, and the DBC 14C ages in rivers are predominantly young and increase during continuous transport and cycling in the ocean. The results of charcoal leaching experiments indicate that DBC is released from charcoal and degraded by bacteria. Our study suggests that riverine DBC is labile and respired during transport and mixing into the ocean and that residual DBC is cycled and aged on the same time scales as bulk DOC in the ocean.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanzhi Qi & Wenjing Fu & Jiwei Tian & Chunle Luo & Sen Shan & Shuwen Sun & Peng Ren & Hongmei Zhang & Jiwen Liu & Xiaohua Zhang & Xuchen Wang, 2020. "Dissolved black carbon is not likely a significant refractory organic carbon pool in rivers and oceans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-18808-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18808-8
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