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Substantial increase of organic carbon storage in Chinese lakes

Author

Listed:
  • Dong Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Stirling)

  • Kun Shi

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Peng Chen

    (Ministry of Natural Resources)

  • Nuoxiao Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Lishan Ran

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Tiit Kutser

    (University of Tartu)

  • Andrew N. Tyler

    (University of Stirling)

  • Evangelos Spyrakos

    (University of Stirling)

  • R. Iestyn Woolway

    (Menai Bridge)

  • Yunlin Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hongtao Duan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Previous studies typically assumed a constant total organic carbon (OC) storage in the lake water column, neglecting its significant variability within a changing world. Based on extensive field data and satellite monitoring techniques, we demonstrate considerable spatiotemporal variability in OC concentration and storage for 24,366 Chinese lakes during 1984–2023. Here we show that dissolved OC concentration is high in northwest saline lakes and particulate OC concentration is high in southeast eutrophic lakes. Along with increasing OC concentration and water volume, dissolved and particulate OC storage increase by 44.6% and 33.5%, respectively. Intensified human activities, water input, and wind disturbance are the key drivers for increasing OC storage. Moreover, higher OC storage further leads to an 11.0% increase in nationwide OC burial and a decrease in carbon emissions from 71.1% of northwest lakes. Similar changes are occurring globally, which suggests that lakes are playing an increasingly important role in carbon sequestration.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong Liu & Kun Shi & Peng Chen & Nuoxiao Yan & Lishan Ran & Tiit Kutser & Andrew N. Tyler & Evangelos Spyrakos & R. Iestyn Woolway & Yunlin Zhang & Hongtao Duan, 2024. "Substantial increase of organic carbon storage in Chinese lakes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52387-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52387-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shengfang Zhou & Hao Long & Weizhe Chen & Chunjing Qiu & Can Zhang & Hang Xing & Jingran Zhang & Liangqing Cheng & Cheng Zhao & Jun Cheng & Philippe Ciais, 2025. "Temperature seasonality regulates organic carbon burial in lake," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.

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