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Synthesis of a 13C-Labeled Tracer for Stream DOC: Labeling Tulip Poplar Carbon with 13CO2

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Abstract

Ecosystem tracer-level additions would benefit from a stable isotope-labeled source of complex organic molecules. We tested a method to label tree C with 13C and create a stable isotope tracer for stream dissolved organic carbon (DOC) using tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) seedlings. In 2000, seedlings were grown with 0.82 moles of 13CO2 to assess the distribution and level of 13C enrichment in the tree tissues. In 2001, seedlings were grown with 25 times more 13CO2 to generate tissues with a 13C signal strong enough for a 13C-DOC stream tracer addition. 13C enrichment in the trees varied in each year and by tissue age and type. Tissues formed during labeling (new) were more enriched in 13C than tissues established prior to the 13CO2 injection (old). Stems were most enriched in 13C in both new and old tissues. A higher percentage of 13CO2 was incorporated into seedlings in 2000 (59% ±1) than 2001 (43% ±0). Percent 13C incorporation among tree tissue types paralleled biomass distributions. Although tree C and 13C were equally soluble in both years, a greater percentage of tree C went into solution in 2001 (30%) than 2000 (20%). The water-soluble tree C accounted for approximately 12% of the injected 13CO2 and had both humic and polysaccharide components. Results from a whole-stream 13C-DOC tracer addition demonstrated that tree C could be sufficiently labeled with 13CO2 to create a stream DOC isotope tracer with some polymeric constituents.

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Acknowledgements

S. Adams, H. Gandhi, M. Gentile, A. M. Leyman, L.A. Martin, D. Richardson, S. Roberts, K. Rowley, and D. Van Horn assisted with laboratory and field work. D. Tremmel coordinated and oversaw the labeling of the trees at the National Phytotron at Duke University. Comments from two anonymous reviewers and J. Cole helped improve this manuscript. This research is the result of work funded by the National Science Foundation, under grants No. DEB-0109122, DEB-0096276, and IBN-9985877.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, Pennsylvania, 19311, USA

    Tracy N. Wiegner, Louis A. Kaplan & J. Denis Newbold

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, Michigan State University, 206 Natural Science Building, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-1115, USA

    Peggy H. Ostrom

  3. Department of Marine Science, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, USA

    Tracy N. Wiegner

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  1. Tracy N. Wiegner
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  2. Louis A. Kaplan
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Correspondence to Tracy N. Wiegner.

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Wiegner, T.N., Kaplan, L.A., Newbold, J.D. et al. Synthesis of a 13C-Labeled Tracer for Stream DOC: Labeling Tulip Poplar Carbon with 13CO2. Ecosystems 8, 501–511 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-003-0043-1

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