Efficient export of carbon to the deep ocean through dissolved organic matter

Oceanic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) constitutes one of the largest pools of reduced carbon in the biosphere. Estimated DOC export from the surface ocean represents 20% of total organic carbon flux to the deep ocean, which constitutes a primary control on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. DOC is the carbon component of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and an accurate quantification of DOM pools, fluxes and their controls is therefore critical to understanding oceanic carbon cycling. DOC export is directly coupled with dissolved organic nitrogen and phosphorus export. However, the C:N:P stoichiometry (by atoms) of DOM dynamics is poorly understood. Here we study the stoichiometry of the DOM pool and of DOM decomposition in continental shelf, continental slope and central ocean gyre environments. We find that DOM is remineralized and produced with a C:N:P stoichiometry of 199:20:1 that is substantially lower than for bulk pools (typically >775:54:1), but greater than for particulate organic matter (106:16:1--the Redfield ratio). Thus for a given mass of new N and P introduced into surface water, more DOC can be exported than would occur at the Redfield ratio. This may contribute to the excess respiration estimated to occur in the interior ocean. Our results place an explicit constraint on global carbon export and elemental balance via advective pathways.     

Bacterial carbon processing by generalist species in the coastal ocean

The assimilation and mineralization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by marine bacterioplankton is a major process in the ocean carbon cycle. However, little information exists on the specific metabolic functions of participating bacteria and on whether individual taxa specialize on particular components of the marine DOC pool. Here we use experimental metagenomics to show that coastal communities are populated by taxa capable of metabolizing a wide variety of organic carbon compounds. Genomic DNA captured from bacterial community subsets metabolizing a single model component of the DOC pool (either dimethylsulphoniopropionate or vanillate) showed substantial overlap in gene composition as well as a diversity of carbon-processing capabilities beyond the selected phenotypes. Our direct measure of niche breadth for bacterial functional assemblages indicates that, in accordance with ecological theory, heterogeneity in the composition and supply of organic carbon to coastal oceans may favour generalist bacteria. In the important interplay between microbial community structure and biogeochemical cycling, coastal heterotrophic communities may be controlled less by transient changes in the carbon reservoir that they process and more by factors such as trophic interactions and physical conditions.     

Uptake of dissolved organic carbon and trace elements by zebra mussels

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are widespread and abundant in major freshwater ecosystems in North America, even though the phytoplankton food resources in some of these systems seem to be too low to sustain them. Because phytoplankton biomass is greatly depleted in ecosystems with large D. polymorpha populations and bacteria do not seem to be an important food source for this species, exploitation of alternative carbon sources may explain the unexpected success of D. polymorpha in such environments. Here we examine the possibility that absorption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from water could provide a nutritional supplement to zebra mussels. We find that mussels absorb 14C-labelled DOC produced by cultured diatoms with an efficiency of 0.23%; this indicates that DOC in natural waters could contribute up to 50% of the carbon demand of zebra mussels. We also find that zebra mussels absorb some dissolved metals that have been complexed by the DOM; although absorption of dissolved selenium was unaffected by DOC, absorption of dissolved cadmium, silver and mercury by the mussels increased 32-, 8.7- and 3.6-fold, respectively, in the presence of high-molecular-weight DOC.     

南黄海及长江口邻近海域夏季溶解有机碳的分布特征及其影响因素

【目的】海水中溶解有机碳(DOC)的研究对于碳的生物地球化学循环具有重要意义。通过对南黄海及长江口邻近海域夏季溶解有机碳的分布特征及其影响因素的研究,为进一步丰富我国陆架边缘海碳循环的研究提供数据支持和参考依据。【方法】利用高温燃烧氧化法对2013年夏季南黄海及长江口邻近海域水体中的DOC进行测定,初步分析夏季南黄海DOC的分布特征,并结合水文、化学、生物同步观测参数,探讨影响DOC分布的主要因素。【结果】2013年夏季南黄海及长江口邻近海域DOC的含量为0.24~2.37mg/L,平均值为(1.34±0.42)mg/L。整体而言,调查海区平面分布呈现北部浓度高,向南部逐渐降低,近岸浓度高远岸浓度低的分布趋势。DOC的垂直分布呈现表层高,逐渐向底层减小,在底层又有所增加的趋势。【结论】研究海区DOC的分布受水团物理混合控制作用十分明显,近岸DOC高值区的分布主要受鲁北沿岸流和陆源输入影响,南部的低值区主要受黑潮表层水及台湾暖流的稀释作用影响,而生物作用对DOC的分布影响较弱。     

Dissolved organic carbon trends resulting from changes in atmospheric deposition chemistry

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain recent, widespread increases in concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the surface waters of glaciated landscapes across eastern North America and northern and central Europe. Some invoke anthropogenic forcing through mechanisms related to climate change, nitrogen deposition or changes in land use, and by implication suggest that current concentrations and fluxes are without precedent. All of these hypotheses imply that DOC levels will continue to rise, with unpredictable consequences for the global carbon cycle. Alternatively, it has been proposed that DOC concentrations are returning toward pre-industrial levels as a result of a gradual decline in the sulphate content of atmospheric deposition. Here we show, through the assessment of time series data from 522 remote lakes and streams in North America and northern Europe, that rising trends in DOC between 1990 and 2004 can be concisely explained by a simple model based solely on changes in deposition chemistry and catchment acid-sensitivity. We demonstrate that DOC concentrations have increased in proportion to the rates at which atmospherically deposited anthropogenic sulphur and sea salt have declined. We conclude that acid deposition to these ecosystems has been partially buffered by changes in organic acidity and that the rise in DOC is integral to recovery from acidification. Over recent decades, deposition-driven increases in organic matter solubility may have increased the export of DOC to the oceans, a potentially important component of regional carbon balances. The increase in DOC concentrations in these regions appears unrelated to other climatic factors.     

南京市不同功能区城市林业土壤有机碳含量与分布

为了解城市化过程中人为活动对城市林业土壤性质及土壤碳库的影响,以南京市土壤为对象,测定了7类功能区城市林业土壤0～30 cm土层的总有机碳(SOC)、溶解有机碳(DOC)、微生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化态碳(ROC)和轻组有机碳(LFOC)的含量,分析了城市林业土壤有机碳的分布规律及其相互关系。结果表明:城市林业土壤表层(0～10 cm)活性有机碳富集特征明显,土壤活性有机碳含量随着土层加深而减小,人为干扰对土壤有机碳含量影响较大; 城郊天然林土壤积累了较高含量的ROC和MBC,道路绿化带土壤由于交通源有机物质的输入,SOC、DOC、LFOC含量较高。人类活动频繁的居民区、公园和校园的土壤活性有机碳各组分含量多处于较低水平。研究表明,土壤总有机碳与各活性有机碳之间有显著相关关系。     

Riverine export of aged terrestrial organic matter to the North Atlantic Ocean

Global riverine discharge of organic matter represents a substantial source of terrestrial dissolved and particulate organic carbon to the oceans. This input from rivers is, by itself, more than large enough to account for the apparent steady-state replacement times of 4,00-6,000 yr for oceanic dissolved organic carbon. But paradoxically, terrestrial organic matter, derived from land plants, is not detected in seawater and sediments in quantities that correspond to its inputs. Here we present natural 14C and 13C data from four rivers that discharge to the western North Atlantic Ocean and find that these rivers are sources of old (14C-depleted) and young (14C-enriched) terrestrial dissolved organic carbon, and of predominantly old terrestrial particulate organic carbon. These findings contrast with limited earlier data that suggested terrestrial organic matter transported by rivers might be generally enriched in 14C from nuclear testing, and hence newly produced. We also find that much of the young dissolved organic carbon can be selectively degraded over the residence times of river and coastal waters, leaving an even older and more refractory component for oceanic export. Thus, pre-ageing and degradation may alter significantly the structure, distributions and quantities of terrestrial organic matter before its delivery to the oceans.     

氮添加对杨树人工林土壤活性有机碳季节变化的影响

为研究大气氮沉降对森林生态系统碳循环的影响, 从2012年5月起,选择典型的苏北杨树(Populus deltoides cv. ‘I-35’)人工林为实验地, 采用随机区组设计不同氮添加处理, 进行野外氮添加定位试验,分析氮添加对不同林龄杨树人工林土壤活性有机碳的影响。结果表明:氮添加提高了土壤微生物生物量碳、可溶性有机碳的含量; 土壤微生物生物量碳和可溶性有机碳含量有显著的季节变化,总体表现为夏秋季较高,冬春季较低。相关分析表明,微生物生物量碳含量与土壤温度呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),可溶性有机碳含量与土壤温度相关性不显著(p>0.05)。研究表明,苏北杨树人工林土壤活性有机碳含量的季节变化主要受到土壤温度影响,同时其对氮添加呈正响应。     

污染土壤-芦竹-水体系中As,Cd,Pb和Zn的渗漏与迁移特征

在湖南某冶炼厂附近污染农田土壤上进行长期生态修复试验,通过连续采样研究土壤剖面不同深度渗漏水pH、水溶性有机碳(DOC)和重金属质量浓度等的变化,探讨污染土壤-芦竹-水体系中As,Cd,Pb和Zn的迁移行为。研究结果表明:与对照体系相比,芦竹修复体系下渗漏水中DOC质量浓度显著增加,As和Pb质量浓度明显降低;表层(0～25 cm)土壤剖面渗漏水中Cd和Zn质量浓度有下降趋势,但不显著;修复体系下渗漏水中As,Cd和Zn质量浓度达到地下水质量标准(GB/T 14848—93)Ⅲ类标准,而Pb质量浓度仅达到Ⅴ类标准;产后芦竹地上部年生物量约为4.5 kg/m2,对As,Cd,Pb和Zn的累积分别达0.03,0.04,0.21和0.17 g/m2;芦竹修复体系对污染土壤中As,Cd,Pb和Zn有一定的稳定和去除作用。     

添加有机肥对滨海盐渍土壤溶解性有机碳特征的影响

【目的】研究添加有机肥对滨海盐渍土壤溶解性有机碳(DOC)的影响,探究土壤DOC的组分来源以及滨海盐渍土壤碳库的稳定性,为改良滨海盐渍土并发挥其碳汇效应提供依据。【方法】以江苏大丰滨海两种不同盐分的盐渍土壤为研究对象,利用紫外-可见光谱和三维荧光光谱结合平行因子分析法,分析添加牛粪有机肥后两种盐渍土壤中DOC含量及紫外-可见光谱、三维荧光光谱特征的动态变化。【结果】添加有机肥的土壤DOC含量显著增加,且有机肥的添加提高了土壤DOC的腐殖化程度,试验第15天和第60天时高盐土壤DOC的腐殖化程度更高,土壤中DOC主要来源于添加的有机肥。三维荧光光谱特征显示,添加有机肥后土壤DOC中类富里酸峰较为明显。平行因子分析法将土壤DOC分为4个荧光组分:C1为外源类短波类腐殖质组分(紫外光区为类富里酸、海洋类富里酸),C2为外源类腐殖质组分(紫外光区、可见光区均为类富里酸),C3为内源类蛋白质组分(类络氨酸、类色氨酸),C4为内源类蛋白质组分(类络氨酸),随时间的变化各组分的占比也表现出不同的情况。【结论】滨海两种盐渍土壤添加牛粪有机肥后,土壤中DOC的含量、类腐殖质组分占比及腐质化程度均显著提高,类络氨酸组分的占比显著降低(P<0.05)。添加有机肥有利于盐渍土壤中活性碳库的稳定,但由于影响DOC的因素众多,不同的盐渍土壤表现情况各异。     

Fate of secondary effluent dissolved organic matter during soil-aquifer treatment

The reduction of mass and trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its fractions from secondary effluent during laboratory-scale soil-aquifer treatment (SAT) soil columns were studied. Reduction in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), absorbance of ultraviolet light at 254 nm (UV-254), biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) and nonbiodegradable dis- solved organic carbon (NBDOC) for the bulk DOM averaged 72.35%, 53.98%, 97.49% and 35.33% across the soil columns, respectively. Using XAD-8 and XAD-4 resins, DOM was fractionated into 3 fractions: hydrophobic acid (HPO-A), transphilic acid (TPI-A) and hydrophilic fraction (HPI). HPO-A was removed by 61.06%, TPI-A by 54.86% and HPI by 74.95% as DOC as a consequence of the laboratory-scale SAT, respectively. The reduction of THMFP from HPO-A, TPI-A and HPI was 27.24%, 26.24% and 36.08%, respectively. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectra revealed that the HPO-A isolated from the secondary effluent contained more aromatic functional groups than the corresponding TPI-A. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum analysis illustrated that TPI-A had decreased hydrocarbon and increased aromatics content in the SAT columns. Specific ultraviolet light absorbance (SUVA) and specific THMFP for each DOM fraction increased across the soil columns and HPI exhibited greater increase in both than HPO-A and TPI-A. The most problematic THM precursor was found to be HPO-A with its high quantity present in recharged water and high chlorine reactivity.     

红壤丘陵区不同地类活性有机碳分布特征及与草本生物量关系

以南方红壤丘陵区荒地、松林、草地坡地小区为研究对象,在研究了土地利用方式对土壤活性有机碳和草本生物量分布特征影响规律的基础上,深入探讨了不同土地利用方式下土壤活性有机碳与草本生物量的定量关系.结果表明不同土地利用方式对土壤易氧化有机碳(ROC)、水溶性有机碳(DOC)、微生物量碳(MBC)以及草本生物量的分布特征均有重要影响,其中草地坡面小区的活性有机碳各组分和草本生物量均高于荒地和松林小区;定量关系研究表明,影响荒地、松林和草地草本生物量的活性有机碳组分分别为DOC,ROC,DOC和MBC,其中荒地坡面DOC主要通过土壤有机碳(SOC)对草本生物量产生影响.     

Young organic matter as a source of carbon dioxide outgassing from Amazonian rivers

Rivers are generally supersaturated with respect to carbon dioxide, resulting in large gas evasion fluxes that can be a significant component of regional net carbon budgets. Amazonian rivers were recently shown to outgas more than ten times the amount of carbon exported to the ocean in the form of total organic carbon or dissolved inorganic carbon. High carbon dioxide concentrations in rivers originate largely from in situ respiration of organic carbon, but little agreement exists about the sources or turnover times of this carbon. Here we present results of an extensive survey of the carbon isotope composition (13C and 14C) of dissolved inorganic carbon and three size-fractions of organic carbon across the Amazonian river system. We find that respiration of contemporary organic matter (less than five years old) originating on land and near rivers is the dominant source of excess carbon dioxide that drives outgassing in medium to large rivers, although we find that bulk organic carbon fractions transported by these rivers range from tens to thousands of years in age. We therefore suggest that a small, rapidly cycling pool of organic carbon is responsible for the large carbon fluxes from land to water to atmosphere in the humid tropics.     

不同分子量DOM对垃圾渗滤液生物处理组合工艺中DBP和DEHP去除率的影响

采用小型生物处理组合工艺(上流式厌氧污泥床+曝气生物滤池+缺氧反应器+膜生物反应器, UASB+ BAF+ANO+MBR)处理老龄垃圾渗滤液, 考察了邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)两种内分泌干扰物在组合工艺中的去除, 以及与渗滤液中溶解性有机质(DOM)去除的关系。结果表明, 组合工艺对DBP和DEHP的去除率可分别达到92.9%和95.2%, 且与DOM腐殖化作用(即腐殖质的芳香性和分子量)密切相关。溶解性有机碳(DOC)主要分布在分子量为1~100 kDa的有机组分中, 此时腐殖质的芳香性较强, DBP和DEHP的浓度也较高。经过工艺处理后, 该组分的DOC和芳香性有效降低, 相应两种污染物的去除效果也更为明显。渗滤液原水及各工艺段中DOC与DBP及DEHP浓度的正相关性, 表明二者之间相互作用更有利于污染物的有效去除。     

草地造林40年后土壤可溶性有机碳下降

为了解天然草地造林后土壤可溶性有机碳的变化,以河北塞罕坝的羊草草甸草原以及在草甸草原上营造的樟子松人工林和落叶松人工林为研究对象,比较了3种植被类型土壤表层0-30cm的土壤可溶性有机碳、土壤总有机碳和土壤全氮等指标。结果表明,人工针叶林的土壤可溶性有机碳、土壤有机碳和土壤全氮含量均低于草甸草原,天然草地营造人工针叶林40年后土壤可溶性有机碳、土壤有机碳和土壤全氮都有所下降,人工林生态系统的土壤异质性低于草甸草原。     

有机物添加对山西太岳山油松林土壤呼吸及碳组分的影响

【目的】 探讨添加不同类型有机物对油松林土壤有机碳组分及土壤呼吸的影响,为预测山西太岳山油松林生态系统中土壤的碳收支平衡提供参考。【方法】 采用随机区组设计,以山西太岳山油松林地表的平均自然凋落物量为标准,向油松林地0~20 cm土壤中分别添加生物炭(BC)、玉米秸秆(JG)、辽东栎叶(LD)和油松叶(YS)等4种类型有机物,使用LI-8100 CO₂通量全自动测量系统对有机物添加条件下的土壤呼吸速率进行连续测定,并对各处理的土壤有机碳(SOC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化碳(ROC)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量进行监测,结合土壤呼吸与土壤有机碳及其组分之间的关系,探讨添加有机物对山西太岳山油松林土壤呼吸及碳组分的影响。【结果】 ①向土壤中添加BC显著降低了土壤呼吸速率,添加JG后土壤呼吸速率较CK显著提高了11.67%。,其余处理与CK差异不显著。在2014年7—11月和2015年5—10月,不同添加物处理间土壤呼吸速率从大至小表现为JG>LD >YS>CK。②有机物添加下土壤SOC含量随时间的增加有上升的趋势,在2014年8月,添加JG后显著提高了土壤SOC、MBC、ROC、DOC含量,添加BC显著提高了土壤MBC含量,添加LD和YS显著提高了土壤SOC和MBC含量。在2014年10月,添加JG显著提高了土壤SOC、MBC、ROC、DOC含量,添加LD显著提高了土壤MBC和ROC含量,添加YS显著提高了土壤SOC、MBC含量。在2015年3月,添加JG显著提高了土壤SOC、MBC和ROC含量,添加LD显著提高了土壤ROC含量。2015年5月,添加JG显著增加了土壤MBC含量。③与对照相比,添加BC后土温10 ℃时的土壤呼吸速率(R₁₀)显著降低了18.01%,添加YS后R₁₀显著增加了30.88%,添加其他有机物对温度敏感性系数(Q₁₀)和R₁₀没有显著影响。④土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度、SOC、MBC、ROC和DOC含量显著正相关。【结论】 添加有机物显著影响土壤碳动态和土壤温湿度,这些都会对土壤CO₂排放产生显著影响,添加JG对土壤有机碳及其碳组分的提高效果最显著,但土壤呼吸速率最高,不利于碳的储存;添加LD可增加土壤活性有机碳含量,短期内可明显改善土壤有机碳库质量;添加BC可在短期内提高土壤微生物生物量碳含量,并显著降低土壤呼吸速率,减少土壤CO₂排放的效果最好。     

三江平原典型岛状林湿地土壤水DOC质量浓度分布特征

以三江平原典型岛状林湿地作为研究对象,分别在6、8和10月下旬分层采集土壤水溶液(0-60era),测定土壤水可溶性有机碳(DOC)和其他几种元素的质量浓度,研究三江平原典型岛状林湿地土壤水DOC质量浓度分布特征.结果表明,岛状林湿地土壤水DOC质量浓度具有明显的季节变化规律,6月份土壤水DOC质量浓度最高,10月份次之,8月份最低.土壤水DOC质量浓度还具有明显的垂直分布规律,从土壤表层向下,随深度增加,土壤水DOC质量浓度先减小后增加,剖面层次之间土壤水DOC质量浓度差异显著(P(0.05).不同月份之间土壤水DOC质量浓度的垂直分布特征存在差异性,但差异不显著(P-41.061).土壤有机质数量和分布、土壤的冻融作用、土壤矿物吸附作用是引起土壤水DOC质量浓度分布的主要原因,采样点的排水状况也对土壤水DOC的分布有重要影响.另外,岛状林湿地土壤水DOC质量浓度与TOC、TC、Fe2+、TP、N03‘呈显著相关关系,与NH4+、P043-、TN、pH存在一定相关关系,说明土壤水DOC质量浓度的分布还与其他各种元素迁移、转化紧密相关,尤其营养元素.     

短期氮添加对杨树人工林表层土壤 可溶性有机碳的影响

在江苏省北部杨树人工林集中分布区开展短期氮添加实验,以研究表层土壤(0～10 cm)可溶性有机碳的响应规律。结果显示:杨树人工林表层土壤可溶性有机碳随着氮添加浓度上升呈现增加趋势,林龄间差异逐渐减小; 对表层土壤可溶性有机碳影响因子分析发现,短期氮添加过程中土壤微生物生物量碳与土壤可溶性有机碳动态的相关性最大,与相对于凋落物量和细根生物量没有明显相关关系,说明短期外源氮素输入会导致土壤微生物生物量的增加,从而引起作为微生物代谢产物的土壤可溶性有机碳浓度的上升。     

Biodegradation of dissolved organic carbon in soil extracts and leachates from a temperate forest stand and its relationship to ultraviolet absorbance

The amount and biodegradability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forest floors can contribute to carbon sequestration in soils and the release of CO 2-C from soil to the atmosphere.There is only limited knowledge about the biodegradation of DOC in soil extracts and leachates due to the limitations inherent in degradation experiments.Differences in the biodegradation of DOC were studied in forest soil extracts using cold and hot water and 4 mmol/L CaCl 2 solution and in soil leachates sampled under different conditions over a wide range of DOC concentrations.From these results,we developed a simple and rapid method for determining the biodegradable organic C in forest floors.The hot water extracts and CaCl 2 extracts after CH 3 Cl fumigation contained higher concentrations of biodegradable organic C than the cold water extracts and CaCl 2 extracts before fumigation,with rapid DOC degradation occurring 24-48 h after incubation with an inoculum,followed by slow DOC degradation till 120-168 h into the incubation.During a 7-d incubation with an inoculum,the variation in DOC degradation in the different soil extracts was consistent with the change in special UV absorbance at 254 nm.Relatively higher levels of biodegradable organic C were detected in soil leachates from the forest canopy than in forest gaps between April and October 2008 (P <0.05).Relatively lower concentrations of DOC and biodegradable organic C were observed in soil leachates from N-fertilized plots during the growing season compared with the control,with the exception of the plot treated with KNO 3 at a rate of 45 kg N ha 1 a 1.Around 77.4% to 96.3% of the variability in the biodegradable organic C concentrations in the forest floors could be accounted for by the initial DOC concentration and UV absorbance at 254 nm.Compared with the conventional inoculum incubation method,the method of analyzing UV absorbance at 254 nm is less time consuming and requires a much smaller sample volume.The results suggest that the regression models obtained using the initial DOC concentration and UV absorbance can provide a rapid,simple and reliable method for determining the biodegradable organic C content,especially in field studies involving relatively large numbers of samples.