Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Ecosystem Modulation of Dissolved Carbon Age in a Temperate Marsh-Dominated Estuary

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Ecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We measured the concentrations and isotopic values (Δ14C and δ13C) of dissolved inorganic, dissolved organic, and particulate organic carbon (DIC, DOC, and POC, respectively) in the Parker River watershed and estuary in Massachusetts, USA, to determine the age of carbon (C) entering the estuary and how estuarine processing affects the quantity and apparent age of C transported to the Gulf of Maine. The watershed measurements indicated the transport of Δ14C-enriched modern DIC and DOC and variably aged POC from the watershed to the estuary. The transport of organic matter from the watershed was dominated by DOC transport, with POC making up less than 10% of the total. Surveys within the watershed aimed at determining which land-use type dominated the DOC export indicated that wetlands, although they made up only around 20% of the land use, could be responsible for approximately 75% of the DOC export. We therefore conclude that the wetland land uses of the Parker River watershed are exporting mainly Δ14C-enriched modern DOC. DIC isotopes indicate that the source of DIC in the Parker River watershed is dominated by the weathering of noncarbonate parent material by Δ14C-enriched carbon dioxide (CO2) originating from the respiration of young organic matter in soils. Transects in the estuary displayed net additions of all C species. For DOC and DIC, the export of this internally added DOC and DIC was approximately equal to the amount being exported from the watershed, showing the importance of focusing on estuaries when estimating the export of C to the coastal ocean. With respect to DIC, the total input is even larger when the atmospheric exchange of excess pCO2 is calculated. The Δ14C-DOC and Δ14C-DIC transects indicate that the internally added DOC and DIC is Δ14C-enriched modern material. The source of this material is the fringing marshes and estuarine phytoplankton, with the relative importance of these two sources changing over time. Taken together, the bulk C and Δ14C measurements show that the estuary is adding significant quantities of young DOC despite the presence of vast quantities of old marsh peat flanking the entire estuary. Furthermore, the DIC data indicate that Δ14C-enriched modern material is what is fueling the majority of heterotrophic respiration within the system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. RMW Amon R Benner (1996) ArticleTitlePhotochemical and microbial consumption of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen in the Amazon River system. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47 1293–309

    Google Scholar 

  2. SB Baines ML Pace (1991) ArticleTitleThe production of dissolved organic matter by phytoplantkon and its importance to bacteria: patterns across marine and freshwater systems. Limnol Oceanogr 36 1078–90

    Google Scholar 

  3. JE Bauer ER Druffel DM Wolgast S Griffin (2001) ArticleTitleSources and cycling of dissolved and particulate organic radiocarbon in the northwest Atlantic continental margin. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 15 615–36 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmslSksrg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. JE Bauer PM Williams ER Druffel (1992) ArticleTitle 14C activity of dissolved organic carbon fractions in the north central Pacific and Sargasso Sea. Nature 357 667–70 Occurrence Handle10.1038/357667a0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XksFGgt7g%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. R Benner S Opsahl (2001) ArticleTitleMolecular indicators of the sources and transformations of dissolved organic matter in the Mississippi river plume. Org Geochem 32 597–611 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0146-6380(00)00197-2 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslyiu7k%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. W-J Cai LR Pomeroy MA Moran Y Wang (1999) ArticleTitleOxygen and carbon dioxide mass balance for the estuarine-intertidal marsh complexes of five rivers in the southeastern U.S. Limnol Oceanogr 44 639–79 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjs1yjs7w%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. W-J Cai Y Wang (1998) ArticleTitleThe chemistry, fluxes, and sources of carbon dioxide in the estuarine waters of the Satilla and Altamaha rivers, Georgia. Limnol Oceanogr 43 657–68 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXlsFWqsbk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. EA Canuel (2001) ArticleTitleRelations between river flow, primary production and fatty acid composition of particulate organic matter in San Grancisco and Chesapeake bays: a multivariate approach. Org Geochem 32 563–83 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0146-6380(00)00195-9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslyiu7s%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. LA Cifuentes PM Eldridge (1998) ArticleTitleA mass and isotope balance model of DOC mixing in estuaries. Limnol Oceanogr 43 1872–82 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjsVaiug%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. LA Cifuentes JH Sharp ML Fogel (1988) ArticleTitleStable carbon and nitrogen isotope biogeochemistry in the Deleware estuary. Limnol Oceanogr 33 1102–15 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXksVCksg%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. RB Coffin LA Cifuentes (1999) ArticleTitleStable isotope analysis of carbon cycling in the Perdido estuary, Florida. Estuaries 22 917–26 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhtFyrur8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. RB Coffin JP Connolly PS Harris (1993) ArticleTitleAvailability of dossolved organic carbon to bacterioplankton examined by oxygen utilization. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 101 9–22 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXisl2htb0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. JJ Cole NF Caraco (2001) ArticleTitleCarbon in catchments: connecting terrestrial carbon losses with aquatic metabolism. Mar Freshwater Res 52 101–10 Occurrence Handle10.1071/MF00084 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXht1SjtLo%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. JJ Cole NF Caraco B Peierls (1991) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton primary production in the tidal, freshwater Hudson River, New York. Verh Int. Verein Limnol 24 1715–9

    Google Scholar 

  15. JJ Cole SF Findlay ML Pace (1988) ArticleTitleBacterial production in fresh and saltwater ecosystems: a cross-system overview. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 43 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  16. ERM Druffel PM Williams JE Bauer J Ertel (1992) ArticleTitleCycling of dissolved and particulate organic matter in the open ocean. J Geophys Res 97 15639–59 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XmsFOlt7g%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. HW Ducklow (1982) ArticleTitleChesapeake bay nutrient and plankton dynamics. 1. Bacterial biomass and production during spring tidal destratification in the York River, Virginia, estuary. Limnol Oceanogr 27 651–9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL38XkvFOqsLc%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. S Findlay ML Pace D Lints K Howe (1992) ArticleTitleBacterial metabolism of organic carbon in the tidal freshwater Hudson Estuary. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 89 147–53 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXit12rurg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. TR Fisher JD Hagy E Rochell-Newall (1998) ArticleTitleDissolved and particulate organic carbon in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 21 215–9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXlslWiurw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. M Frankignoulle (1998) ArticleTitleCarbon dioxide emission from European estuaries. Science 282 434–6 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXmslaqtbk%3D Occurrence Handle9774261

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. JM Hayes (1993) ArticleTitleFactors controlling 13C contents of sedimentary organic compounds: principles and evidence. Mar Geol 113 111–25 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0025-3227(93)90153-M Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXhvFKjsb8%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. JI Hedges (1986a) ArticleTitleOrganic carbon-14 in the Amazon River system. Science 231 1129–31 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL28XhtlGls7o%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. JI Hedges RG Keil R Benner (1997) ArticleTitleWhat happens to terrestrial organic matter in the ocean? Org Geochem 27 195–212 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0146-6380(97)00066-1 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXotVektA%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. JL Hedges (1986b) ArticleTitleCompositions and fluxes of particulate organic material in the Amazon River. Limnol Oceanogr 31 717–38 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL28Xltl2iu7o%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. CS Hopkinson JJ Vallino (1995) ArticleTitleThe relationships among man’s activities in watersheds and estuaries: a model of runoff effects on patterns of estuarine community metabolism. Estuaries 18 598–621 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XitVOktQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. CS Hopkinson J Vallino A Nolin (2002) ArticleTitleDecomposition of dissolved organic matter from the continental margin. Deep-Sea Res II 49 4461–78 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0967-0645(02)00125-X Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xnt1KjsbY%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. RW Howarth JR Fruci D Sherman (1991) ArticleTitleInputs of sediment and carbon to an estuarine ecosystem: influence of landuse. Ecol Appl 1 27–39

    Google Scholar 

  28. RW Howarth R Schneider D Swaney (1996) ArticleTitleMetabolism and organic carbon fluxes in the tidal freshwater Hudson River. Estuaries 19 848–65 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhslWhtL8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. J Jones P Mulholland (1998) ArticleTitleCarbon dioxide variation in a hardwood forest stream: an integrative measure of whole catchment soil respiration. Ecosystems 1 189–96

    Google Scholar 

  30. S Kao K Liu (1996) ArticleTitleParticulate organic carbon export from a subtropical mountainous river (Lanyang Hsi) in Taiwan. Limnol Oceanogr 41 1749–57 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXis1yis7s%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. I Levin B Kromer (1997) ArticleTitleTwenty years of atmospheric 14CO2 observations at Schauinsland station, Germany. Radiocarbon 39 205–18 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXnvVGhtQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. JM Lobbes HP Fitznar G Kattner (2000) ArticleTitleBiogeochemical characteristics of dissolved and particulate organic matter in Russia rivers entering the Arctic Ocean. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 64 2973–83 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00409-9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmtVant70%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. W Ludwig J Probst S Kempe (1996) ArticleTitlePredicting the oceanic input of organic carbon by continental erosion. Global Biogeochem Cycles 10 23–41 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xhs1GjsLo%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. A Mannino HR Harvey (1999) ArticleTitleLipid composition in particulate and dissolved organic matter in the Delaware Estuary: sources and diagenetic patterns. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 63 2219–35 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0016-7037(99)00128-3 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXlslelsbk%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. CA Massiello ERM Druffel (2001) ArticleTitleCarbon isotope geochemistry of the Santa Clara river. Global Biogeoch Cycles 15 407–16

    Google Scholar 

  36. A Meredith J Hullar B Fry BJ Peterson RT Wright (1996) ArticleTitleMicrobial utilization of estuarine dissolved dissolved organic carbon: a stable isotope tracer approach tested by mass balance. Appl Environ Microbiol 62 2489–93

    Google Scholar 

  37. M Meybeck (1982) ArticleTitleCarbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers. Am J Sci 282 401–50 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL38Xks1Sntbk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. M Meybeck (1993) ArticleTitleRiverine transport of atmospheric carbon: sources, global typology, and budget. Water Air Soil Pollut 70 443–63 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXmsFKjt7k%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. JD Milliman JP Syvitski (1992) ArticleTitleGeomorphic/tectonic control of sediment discharge to the ocean: the importance of small mountainous rivers. J Geol 100 525–44

    Google Scholar 

  40. MA Moran LR Pomeroy ES Sheppard LP Atkinson RE Hodson (1991) ArticleTitleDistribution of terrestrially derived dissolved organic matter on the southeastern U.S. continental shelf. Limnol Oceanogr 36 1134–49 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XhtFejsbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. MA Moran WM Sheldon JE Sheldon (1999) ArticleTitleBiodegradation of riverine dissolved organic carbon in five estuaries of the southeastern United States. Estuaries 22 55–64 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjtFynsrs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. MA Moran WM Sheldon RG Zepp (2000) ArticleTitleCarbon loss and optical property changes during long-term photochemical and biological degradation of estuarine dissolved organic matter. Limnol Oceanogr 45 1254–64 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXntFCitLk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. PJ Mulholland EJ Kuenzler (1979) ArticleTitleOrganic carbon export from upland and forested wetland watershed. Limnol Oceanogr 24 960–6 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXotF2ksw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. CB Officer (1979) ArticleTitleDiscussion of the behaviour of nonconservative dissolved constituents in estuaries. Est Coast Mar Sci 9 91–4

    Google Scholar 

  45. S Opsahl R Benner RW Amon (1999) ArticleTitleMajor flux of terrigenous dissolved organic matter through the Artic Ocean. Limnol Oceanogr 44 2017–23 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhsFOjuw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. HW Paerl (2001) ArticleTitleEcosystem impacts of three sequential hurricanes (Dennis, Floyd, and Irene) on the United States’ largest lagoonal estuary, Pamlico Sound, NC. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98 5655–60 Occurrence Handle10.1073/pnas.101097398 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjs1Wns7Y%3D Occurrence Handle11344306

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. J Painchaud D Lefaivre J Therriault L Legendre (1996) ArticleTitleBacterial dynamics in the upper St. Lawrence estuary. Limnol Oceanogr 1996 1610–18

    Google Scholar 

  48. SM Palmer D Hope MF Billett JC Dawson CL Bryant (2001) ArticleTitleSources of organic and inorganic carbon in a headwater stream: evidence from carbon isotope studies. Biogeochemistry 52 321–38 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1006447706565 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXkt1Krtr4%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. B Peterson B Fry M Hullar S Saupe (1994) ArticleTitleThe distribution and stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved organic carbon in estuaries. Estuaries 17 111–21 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXms1arsL8%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. PD Quay DO Wilbur JE Richey (1992) ArticleTitleCarbon cycling in the Amazon River: implications from the 13C compostions of particles and solutes. Limnol Oceanogr 47 857–71

    Google Scholar 

  51. PA Raymond JE Bauer (2000) ArticleTitleBacterial consumption of DOC during transport through a temperate estuary. Aquat Microb Ecol 22 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  52. P Raymond J Bauer (2001a) ArticleTitleDOC cycling in a temperate estuary: a mass balance approach using natural 14C and 13C isotopes. Limnol Oeanogr 46 655–77 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjvVaht70%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. PA Raymond JE Bauer (2001b) ArticleTitleRiverine export of aged terrestrial organic matter to the north Atlantic Ocean. Nature 409 497–500 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXpslKlsA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. PA Raymond JE Bauer (2001c) ArticleTitleUse of 14C and 13C natural abundances for evaluating riverine, estuarine, and coastal DOC and POC sources and cycling: a review and synthesis. Org Geochem 32 469–85 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslyiu74%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. PA Raymond JE Bauer JJ Cole (2000) ArticleTitleAtmospheric CO2 evasion, dissolved inorganic carbon production, and net heterotrophy in the York River estuary. Limnol Oceanogr 45 1707–17 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhvFOi

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. EE Roden JH Tuttle (1993) ArticleTitleInorganic sulfur cycling in mid and lower Chesapeake Bay sediments. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 93 101–18 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXktlers7Y%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Sammel EA. 1967. Water resources of the Parker and Rowley river basins, Massachusetts. USGS Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-247

  58. P Sampou C Oviatt (1991) ArticleTitleSeasonal patterns of sedimentary carbon and anaerobic respiration along a simulated eutrophication gradient. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 72 271–82

    Google Scholar 

  59. SA Sanudo-Wilhelmy GT Taylor (1999) ArticleTitleBacterioplankton dynamics and organic carbon partitioning in the lower Hudson River estuary. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 1999 17–27

    Google Scholar 

  60. JL Sarmiento ET Sundquist (1992) ArticleTitleRevised budget for the oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Nature 356 589–93 Occurrence Handle10.1038/356589a0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XisVWntb8%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Schiff S, and others. 1998. Precambrian shield wetlands: hydrologic control of the sources and export of dissolved organic matter. Clim Change 40:167–88

    Google Scholar 

  62. WH Schlesinger (1991) Biogeochemistry: an analysis of global change. Academic Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  63. WH Schlesinger JM Melack (1981) ArticleTitleTransport of organic carbon in the world’s rivers. Tellus 33 172–87 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3MXltlyisLs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. SV Smith JT Hollibaugh (1993) ArticleTitleCoastal metabolism and the oceanic organic carbon balance. Rev Geophys 31 75–89

    Google Scholar 

  65. EC Spiker M Rubin (1975) ArticleTitlePetroleum pollutants in surface and groundwater as indicated by the carbon-14 activity of dissolved organic carbon. Science 187 61–4 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXmsVahuw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. M Stuiver HA Polach (1977) ArticleTitleDiscussion: reporting of 14C data. Radiocarbon 19 355–63

    Google Scholar 

  67. W Stumm JJ Morgan (1996) Aquatic chemistry, Vol 3. Wiley New York 1022

    Google Scholar 

  68. ET Sundquist (1993) ArticleTitleThe global carbon dioxide budget. Science 259 934–41 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXhsFWjurs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. FC Tan PM Strain (1983) ArticleTitleSources, sinks and distribution of organic carbon in the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47 125–32 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0016-7037(83)90096-0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXptlSnsw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. JJ Vallino CS Hopkinson (1998) ArticleTitleEstimation of dispersion and characteristic mixing times in Plum Island Sound estuary. Est Coast Shelf Sci 46 333–50 Occurrence Handle10.1006/ecss.1997.0281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. C Vörösmarty T Loder (1994) ArticleTitleSpring-neap tidal contrasts and nutrient dynamics in a marsh-dominated estuary. Estuaries 17 537–51

    Google Scholar 

  72. PM Williams ER Druffel (1987) ArticleTitleRadiocarbon in dissolved organic carbon in the central north Pacific Ocean. Nature 330 246–8 Occurrence Handle10.1038/330246a0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXis1KksQ%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. GT Wong (1979) ArticleTitleAlkalinity and pH in the southern Chesapeake Bay and the James River estuary. Limnol Oceanogr 24 970–7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXotF2ksA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank John Hobbie, Joe Vallino, Byron Crump, Greg Peterson, and Joshua Goldstein for their insights and assistance in the field. John Hayes at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution NOSAMS AMS facility was extremely generous in offering some free sample analysis. Ann McNichol and Dana Stuart aided with sample preparation. We also thank Sheila Hurst at WHOI and Debbie Scanlon at MBL for their help in editing this manuscript. This work was supported by National Science Foundation awards OCE-9726921 (LTER) and EAR-9807632.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA

    Peter A. Raymond

  2. Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02540, USA

    Charles S. Hopkinson

Authors
  1. Peter A. Raymond
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Charles S. Hopkinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter A. Raymond.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Raymond, P., Hopkinson, C. Ecosystem Modulation of Dissolved Carbon Age in a Temperate Marsh-Dominated Estuary . Ecosystems 6, 694–705 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-002-0213-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-002-0213-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation