Premium
Positive priming of terrestrially derived dissolved organic matter in a freshwater microcosm system
Author(s) -
Bianchi Thomas S.,
Thornton Daniel C. O.,
YvonLewis Shari A.,
King Gary M.,
Eglinton Timothy I.,
Shields Michael R.,
Ward Nicholas D.,
Curtis Jason
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2015gl064765
Subject(s) - microcosm , dissolved organic carbon , remineralisation , environmental chemistry , organic matter , trehalose , carbon dioxide , total organic carbon , disaccharide , carbon cycle , chemistry , carbon fibers , ecology , environmental science , biology , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , ecosystem , materials science , fluoride , composite number , composite material
The role of priming processes in the remineralization of terrestrially derived dissolved organic carbon (TDOC) in aquatic systems has been overlooked. We provide evidence for TDOC priming using a lab‐based microcosm experiment in which TDOC was primed by the addition of 13 C‐labeled algal dissolved organic carbon (ADOC) or a 13 C‐labeled disaccharide (trehalose). The rate of TDOC remineralization to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) occurred 4.1 ± 0.9 and 1.5 ± 0.3 times more rapidly with the addition of trehalose and ADOC, respectively, relative to experiments with TDOC as the sole carbon source over the course of a 301 h incubation period. Results from these controlled experiments provide fundamental evidence for the occurrence of priming of TDOC by ADOC and a simple disaccharide. We suggest that priming effects on TDOC should be considered in carbon budgets for large‐river deltas, estuaries, lakes, hydroelectric reservoirs, and continental shelves.