Abstract
Understanding the fate of terrestrial organic carbon (OC) in a cascade impoundment system is critical for recognizing the role of carbon sink for reservoirs. Surface sediments collected from eight cascade reservoirs across the Wujiang River, southwestern China, were analyzed for elemental and stable carbon isotopic (δ13C) composition, and lignin phenols (Σ8 and Λ8) to investigate the spatial distribution, contribution, origin and degradation of sedimentary terrestrial OC. The values of total organic carbon (TOC) and Σ8 exhibited a remarkable reduction along the upstream–downstream transect suggesting the trapping effect of cascade-damming. A relatively broad range of δ13C (−26.61 to −25.54‰, 95% CI) and C/N (6.80–18.20) indicated mixed allochthonous/autochthonous OC sources in surface sediments. The quantitative simulation indicates that the OC of the sediments mainly was derived from terrestrial organic matter. Soil-derived OC rather than C3 vascular plant-derived OC makes a major contribution to sedimentary terrestrial OC in reservoirs on karst terrain. As evidenced by lignin compositions and δ13C, the predominant vascular plant origins of terrestrial OC along the Wujiang River are non-woody angiosperm C3 plants. The aged reservoirs showed a trend of increasing contribution of autochthonous OC, which potentially weaken the role of carbon sink for reservoirs. The relationship between runoff inputs, watershed area/water surface area ratios, and water residence time and Λ8 were explored, indicating the natural and anthropogenic influences on terrestrial OC remains very complex in a cascade-damming river.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of data and material
All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.
References
Aguiar FC, Martins MJ, Silva PC, Fernandes MR (2016) Riverscapes downstream of hydropower dams: effects of altered flows and historical land-use change. Landscape Urban Plan 153:83–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.04.009
Andersson A (2011) A systematic examination of a random sampling strategy for source apportionment calculations. Sci Total Environ 412–413:232–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.10.031
Cathalot C, Rabouille C, Tisnérat-Laborde N, Toussaint F, Kerhervé P, Buscail R, Loftis K, Sun MY, Tronczynski J, Azoury S et al (2013) The fate of river organic carbon in coastal areas: A study in the Rhône River delta using multiple isotopic (δ13C, Δ14C) and organic tracers. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 118:33–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.05.001
CERC (2020) The sediment bulletin of Yangtze River in 2019. In: Changjiang Water Resources Commission, The Ministry of Water Resources (ed). Changjiang Press, Wuhan. http://www.cjw.gov.cn/zwzc/bmgb/. Accessed 1 Jan 2021
Chen F, Jia G (2009) Spatial and seasonal variations in δ13C and δ15N of particulate organic matter in a dam-controlled subtropical river. River Res Appl 25(9):1169–1176. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.1225
Chen JA, Wang JF, Guo JY, Yu J, Zeng Y, Yang HQ, Zhang RY (2018) Eco-environment of reservoirs in China. Prog Phys Geog 42(2):185–201. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133317751844
Clow DW, Stackpoole SM, Verdin KL, Butman DE, Zhu Z, Krabbenhoft DP, Striegl RG (2015) Organic carbon burial in lakes and reservoirs of the conterminous United States. Environ Sci Technol 49(13):7614–7622. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b00373
Dai ZJ, Chu A, Stive M, Du JZ, Li JF (2011) Is the Three Gorges Dam the cause behind the extremely low suspended sediment discharge into the Yangtze (Changjiang) Estuary of 2006? Hydrolog Sci J 56(7):1280–1288. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2011.585136
Dittmar T, Lara RJ (2001) Molecular evidence for lignin degradation in sulfate-reducing mangrove sediments (Amazonia, Brazil). Geochim Cosmochim Acta 65(9):1417–1428. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00619-0
Feng XJ, Feakins SJ, Liu ZG, Ponton C, Wang RZ, Karkabi E, Galy V, Berelson WM, Nottingham AT, Meir P et al (2016) Source to sink: Evolution of lignin composition in the Madre de Dios River system with connection to the Amazon basin and offshore. J Geophys Res-Biogeo 121(5):1316–1338. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jg003323
Filley TR, Hatcher PG, Shortle WC, Praseuth RT (2000) The application of 13C-labeled tetramethylammonium hydroxide (13C-TMAH) thermochemolysis to the study of fungal degradation of wood. Org Geochem 31:181–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0146-6380(99)00159-X
Fry B, Sherr EB (1984) δ13C Measurements as Indicators of Carbon Flow in Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. Mar Sci 27:13–47
Goñi MA. 1997. Record of terrestrial organic matter composition in Amazon Fan sediments. In Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results 155. https://doi.org/10.2973/odp.proc.sr.155.240.1997
Goni MA, Hedges JI (1992) Lignin dimers: structures, distribution, and potential geochemical applications. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 56(11):4025–4043. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(92)90014-A
Goni MA, Monacci N, Gisewhite R, Crockett J, Nittrouer C, Ogston A, Alin SR, Aalto R (2008) Terrigenous organic matter in sediments from the Fly River delta-clinoform system (Papua New Guinea). J Geophys Res 113(F1):1–27. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JF000653
Goñi MA, Teixeira MJ, Perkey DW (2003) Sources and distribution of organic matter in a river-dominated estuary (Winyah Bay, SC, USA). Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 57(5–6):1023–1048. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-7714(03)00008-8
Gordon ES, Goñi MA (2003) Sources and distribution of terrigenous organic matter delivered by the Atchafalaya River to sediments in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 67(13):2359–2375. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-7037(02)01412-6
Gordon ES, Goñi MA (2004) Controls on the distribution and accumulation of terrigenous organic matter in sediments from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya river margin. Mar Chem 92(1–4):331–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2004.06.035
Gudasz C, Ruppenthal M, Kalbitz K, Cerli C, Fiedler S, Oelmann Y, Andersson A, Karlsson J (2017) Contributions of terrestrial organic carbon to northern lake sediments. Limnol Oceanog 2(6):218–227. https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.1005
Guo X, Zhu X, Yang Z, Ma J, Xiao S, Ji D, Liu D (2020) Impacts of cascade reservoirs on the longitudinal variability of fine sediment characteristics: A case study of the Lancang and Nu Rivers. J Hydrol 581:124343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124343
Gupta H, Kao SJ, Dai M (2012) The role of mega dams in reducing sediment fluxes: a case study of large Asian rivers. J Hydrol 464–465:447–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.07.038
Hao Y, Ying W, Jing Z, Qingzhen Y, Zhuoyi Z (2007) The characteristics of lignin of plant and soil samples in the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) Drainage Basin. Acta Sci Circum 27(5):817–823
Hedges JI, Ertel JR (1982) Characterization of lignin by gas capillary chromatography of cupric oxide oxidation products. Anal Chem 54(2):174–178. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00239a007
Heges JI, Mann DC (1979) The characterization of plant tissues by their lignin oxidation products. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 43(11):1803–1807. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(79)90028-0
Hernes PJ, Robinson AC, Aufdenkampe AK (2007) Fractionation of lignin during leaching and sorption and implications for organic matter “freshness.” Geophys Res Lett 34(17):1–6. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL031017
Houel S, Lucotte M, Canue R, Ghaleb B (2006) Translocation of soil organic matter following reservoir impoundment in boreal systems: implications for in situ productivity. Limno Oceanog 51(3):26. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2006.51.3.1497
Mulholland PJ, Elewood JW (1982) The role of lake and reservoir sediments as sinks in the perturbed global carbon cycle. Tellus 34:490–499. https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v34i5.10834
Jex CN, Pate GH, Blyth AJ, Spencer RGM, Hernes PJ, Khan SJ, Baker A (2014) Lignin biogeochemistry: from modern processes to Quaternary archives. Limnol Oceanog 87:46–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.12.028
John IH, Richard GK (1995) Sedimentary organic matter preservation: an assessment and speculative synthesis. Mar Chem 49(2–3):81–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4203(95)00008-F
Kang S, Kim JH, Joe YJ, Jang K, Nam SI, Shin KH (2021) Long-term environmental changes in the Geum Estuary (South Korea): Implications of river impoundments. Mar Pollut Bull 168(11):2383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112383
Keaveney EM, Radbourne AD, McGowan S, Ryves DB, Reimer PJ (2020) Source and quantity of carbon influence its sequestration in Rostherne Mere (UK) sediment: a novel application of stepped combustion radiocarbon analysis. J Paleol 64(4):347–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-020-00141-1
Li D, Yao P, Bianchi TS, Zhang T, Zhao B, Pan H, Wang J, Yu Z (2014) Organic carbon cycling in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent shelf: Implication for the influence of Three Gorges Dam. J Marine Syst 139:409–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.08.009
Li X, Bianchi TS, Allison MA, Chapman P, Mitra S, Zhang Z, Yang G, Yu Z (2012) Composition, abundance and age of total organic carbon in surface sediments from the inner shelf of the East China Sea. Mar Chem 145–147(20):37–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2012.10.001
Loh PS, Cheng LX, Yuan HW, Yang L, Lou ZH, Jin AM, Chen XG, Lin YS, Chen CTA (2018) Impacts of human activity and extreme weather events on sedimentary organic matter in the Andong salt marsh, Hangzhou Bay, China. Continent Shelf Res 154:55–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2018.01.005
Mendonca R, Muller RA, Clow D, Verpoorter C, Raymond P, Tranvik LJ, Sobek S (2017) Organic carbon burial in global lakes and reservoirs. Nat Commun. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01789-6
Meyers PA (1994) Preservation of elemental and isotopic source identification of sedimentary organic matter. Chem Geol 114:289–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(94)90059-0
Miguel AG, Shelagh M (2000) Alkaline CuO oxidation with a microwave digestion system: lignin analyses of geochemical samples. J Asian Earth Sci 72(14):3116–3121. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac991316w
Ni J, Luo DH, Xia J, Zhang ZH, Hu G (2015) Vegetation in karst terrain of southwestern China allocates more biomass to roots. Solid Earth 6(3):799–810. https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-799-2015
Oliver AA, Spencer RGM, Deas ML, Dahlgren RA (2016) Impact of seasonality and anthropogenic impoundments on dissolved organic matter dynamics in the Klamath River (Oregon/California, USA). J Geophys Res-Biogeo 121(7):1946–1958. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jg003497
Onstad GD, Canfield DE, Quay PD, Hedges JI (2000) Sources of particulate organic matter in rivers from the continental USA: Lignin phenol and stable carbon isotope compositions. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 64(20):3539–3546. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00451-8
Osidele OO, Beck MB (2004) Food web modelling for investigating ecosystem behaviour in large reservoirs of the south-eastern United States: lessons from Lake Lanier. Georgia Ecol Model 173(2–3):129–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2003.06.003
Pondell CR, Canuel EA (2020) Sterol, fatty acid, and lignin biomarkers identify the response of organic matter accumulation in Englebright Lake, California (USA) to climate and human impacts. Org Geochem 142:103992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2020.103992
Prairie YT, Alm J, Beaulieu J, Barros N, Battin T, Cole J, Del Giorgio P, DelSontro T, Guerin F, Harby A et al (2018) Greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater reservoirs: what does the atmosphere see? Ecosystems 21(5):1058–1071. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-017-0198-9
Rezende CE, Pfeiffer WC, Martinelli LA, Tsamakis E, Hedges JI, Keil RG (2010) Lignin phenols used to infer organic matter sources to Sepetiba Bay–RJ. Brasil Estuar Coast Shelf S 87(3):479–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.02.008
Rowe OF, Dinasquet J, Paczkowska J, Figueroa D, Riemann L, Andersson A (2018) Major differences in dissolved organic matter characteristics and bacterial processing over an extensive brackish water gradient, the Baltic Sea. Mar Chem 20(2):27–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2018.01.010
Salim S, Pattiaratchi C (2020) Sediment resuspension due to near-bed turbulent coherent structures in the nearshore. Cont Shelf Res 194(1):104048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2020.104048
Sánchez GL, de Andrés JR, Martín RJA, Louchouarn P (2009) Diagenetic state and source characterization of marine sediments from the inner continental shelf of the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain), constrained by terrigenous biomarkers. Org Geochem 40(2):184–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2008.11.001
Shi KY, Liu Y, Chen P, Li Y (2020) Contribution of lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and laccase in lignite degradation by mixed white-rot fungi. Waste Biomass Valor. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-020-01275-z
Stephane H, Patrick L (2006) Translocation of soil organic matter following reservoir impoundment in boreal systems: implications for in-situ productivity. Limnol Oceanog 51(3):1497–1513. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2006.51.3.1497
Straskraba M, Tundisi J, Duncan A (2013) Comparative reservoir limnology and water quality management. Springer, Berlin
Sun S, Schefuß E, Mulitza S, Chiessi CM, Sawakuchi AO, Zabel M, Baker PA, Hefter J, Mollenhauer G (2017) Origin and processing of terrestrial organic carbon in the Amazon system: lignin phenols in river, shelf, and fan sediments. Biogeosciences 14(9):2495–2512. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-2495-2017
Wang BL, Zhang HT, Liang X, Li XD, Wang FS (2019a) Cumulative effects of cascade dams on river water cycle: Evidence from hydrogen and oxygen isotopes. J Hydrol 568:604–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.11.016
Wang FS, Lang YC, Liu CQ, Qin Y, Yu NX, Wang BL (2019b) Flux of organic carbon burial and carbon emission from a large reservoir: implications for the cleanliness assessment of hydropower. Sci Bull 64(9):603–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2019.03.034
Wang J, Chen G, Kang W, Hu K, Wang L (2019c) Impoundment intensity determines temporal patterns of hydrological fluctuation, carbon cycling and algal succession in a dammed lake of Southwest China. Water Res 148:162–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.032
Wang J, Yao P, Bianchi TS, Li D, Zhao B, Cui X, Pan H, Zhang T, Yu Z (2015) The effect of particle density on the sources, distribution, and degradation of sedimentary organic carbon in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent shelf. Chem Geol 40(2):52–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.02.040
Wang XC, Chen FR, Gardne BG (2004) Sources and transport of dissolved and particulate organic carbon in the Mississippi River estuary and adjacent coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Mar Chem 89(1–4):241–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2004.02.014
Waters MN, Kenney WF, Brenner M, Webster BC (2019) Organic carbon sequestration in sediments of subtropical Florida lakes. PLoS ONE 14(12):226273. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226273
West WE, Creamer KP, Jones E (2016) Productivity and depth regulate lake contributions to atmospheric methane. Limnol Oceanog 61(1):51–61. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10247
Wu Y, Eglinton T, Yang LY, Deng B, Montluçon D, Zhang J (2013) Spatial variability in the abundance, composition, and age of organic matter in surficial sediments of the East China Sea. J Geophys Res Biogeosci 118(4):1495–1507. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013jg002286
Wysocki LA, Filley TR, Bianchi TS (2008) Comparison of two methods for the analysis of lignin in marine sediments: CuO oxidation versus tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis. Org Geochem 39(10):1454–1461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2008.06.004
Xiuchun W, Qiuhao H, Yunlong C (2008) Assessment of vegetative land cover change using AVHRR/NDVI and SPOT/NDVI data in Wujiang River Basin, Southwest China. Res Soil Water Conserv 15(5):15–23
Xu K, Milliman JD (2009) Seasonal variations of sediment discharge from the Yangtze River before and after impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam. Geomorphol 104(3–4):276–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.09.004
Yang L, Wu Y, Zhang J, Yu H, Zhang G, Zhu Z (2008) Distribution of lignin and sources of organic matter in surface sediments from the adjacent area of the Changjiang Estuary in China. Acta Oceanol Sin 30:35–42. https://doi.org/10.1586/17474124.2.3.291
Yang N, Li Y, Zhang WL, Lin L, Qian B, Wang LF, Niu LH, Zhang HJ (2020) Cascade dam impoundments restrain the trophic transfer efficiencies in benthic microbial food web. Water Res 170:115351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115351
Yu FL, Zong YQ, Lloyd JM, Huang GQ, Leng MJ, Kendrick C, Lamb AL, Yim WWS (2010) Bulk organic δ13C and C/N as indicators for sediment sources in the Pearl River delta and estuary, southern China. Estuarine, Coastal Shelf Sci 87(4):618–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.02.018
Zarfl C, Lumsdon AE, Berlekamp J, Tydecks L, Tockner K (2014) A global boom in hydropower dam construction. Aquat Sci 77(1):161–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-014-0377-0
Zonneveld KAF, Versteegh GJM, Kasten S, Eglinton TI, Emeis K-C, Huguet C, Koch BP, Lange GJd, Leeuw JWd, Middelburg JJ (2010) Selective preservation of organic matter in marine environments; processes and impact on the sedimentary record. Biogeosci 7:483–511. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-7-483-2010
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFA0601003), and additional supporting was provided by the National Natural Science Foundations of China (Nos. 21477072 and 41573064).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
The authors contribute according to their research specialty: Xin Lin and Yujie Wang: sample collection, data analysis, and writing the original manuscript. Jinhua Zhang: sample collection and preparation. Ming Yang, Xueping Chen, Fushun Wang and Jing Ma: reviewing, editing and supervision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lin, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, J. et al. Interception, degradation and contributions of terrestrial organic carbon obtained from lignin analysis in Wujiang River, southwest China. Acta Geochim 40, 857–870 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-021-00493-z
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-021-00493-z