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A new conceptual framework for the transformation of groundwater dissolved organic matter

Author

Listed:
  • Liza K. McDonough

    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
    UNSW Sydney)

  • Martin S. Andersen

    (UNSW Sydney
    UNSW Sydney)

  • Megan I. Behnke

    (Florida State University)

  • Helen Rutlidge

    (UNSW Sydney
    UNSW Sydney)

  • Phetdala Oudone

    (UNSW Sydney
    UNSW Sydney)

  • Karina Meredith

    (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO))

  • Denis M. O’Carroll

    (UNSW Sydney
    UNSW Sydney)

  • Isaac R. Santos

    (Southern Cross University)

  • Christopher E. Marjo

    (UNSW Sydney)

  • Robert G. M. Spencer

    (Florida State University)

  • Amy M. McKenna

    (Florida State University)

  • Andy Baker

    (UNSW Sydney
    UNSW Sydney)

Abstract

Groundwater comprises 95% of the liquid fresh water on Earth and contains a diverse mix of dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecules which play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Currently, the storage times and degradation pathways of groundwater DOM are unclear, preventing an accurate estimate of groundwater carbon sources and sinks for global carbon budgets. Here we reveal the transformations of DOM in aging groundwater using ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry combined with radiocarbon dating. Long-term anoxia and a lack of photodegradation leads to the removal of oxidised DOM and a build-up of both reduced photodegradable formulae and aerobically biolabile formulae with a strong microbial signal. This contrasts with the degradation pathway of DOM in oxic marine, river, and lake systems. Our findings suggest that processes such as groundwater extraction and subterranean groundwater discharge to oceans could result in up to 13 Tg of highly photolabile and aerobically biolabile groundwater dissolved organic carbon released to surface environments per year, where it can be rapidly degraded. These findings highlight the importance of considering groundwater DOM in global carbon budgets.

Suggested Citation

  • Liza K. McDonough & Martin S. Andersen & Megan I. Behnke & Helen Rutlidge & Phetdala Oudone & Karina Meredith & Denis M. O’Carroll & Isaac R. Santos & Christopher E. Marjo & Robert G. M. Spencer & Amy, 2022. "A new conceptual framework for the transformation of groundwater dissolved organic matter," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29711-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29711-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. J. S. Famiglietti, 2014. "The global groundwater crisis," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(11), pages 945-948, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ang Hu & Kyoung-Soon Jang & Andrew J. Tanentzap & Wenqian Zhao & Jay T. Lennon & Jinfu Liu & Mingjia Li & James Stegen & Mira Choi & Yahai Lu & Xiaojuan Feng & Jianjun Wang, 2024. "Thermal responses of dissolved organic matter under global change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Helena Osterholz & Stephanie Turner & Linda J. Alakangas & Eva-Lena Tullborg & Thorsten Dittmar & Birgitta E. Kalinowski & Mark Dopson, 2022. "Terrigenous dissolved organic matter persists in the energy-limited deep groundwaters of the Fennoscandian Shield," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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