Origin and temporal variability of unusually low  δ  13 C‐DOC values in two High Arctic catchments | Zendy

Hindshaw R. S. | Zendy; Lang S. Q. | Zendy; Bernasconi S. M. | Zendy; Heaton T. H. E. | Zendy; Lindsay M. R. | Zendy; Boyd E. S. | Zendy

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Origin and temporal variability of unusually low δ 13 C‐DOC values in two High Arctic catchments

Author(s) -

Hindshaw R. S.,

Lang S. Q.,

Bernasconi S. M.,

Heaton T. H. E.,

Lindsay M. R.,

Boyd E. S.

Publication year - 2016

Publication title -

journal of geophysical research: biogeosciences

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

eISSN - 2169-8961

pISSN - 2169-8953

DOI - 10.1002/2015jg003303

Subject(s) - permafrost , dissolved organic carbon , arctic , environmental chemistry , environmental science , organic matter , cycling , δ13c , carbon cycle , isotopes of carbon , methane , carbon fibers , streams , total organic carbon , stable isotope ratio , oceanography , ecology , chemistry , geology , ecosystem , biology , geography , computer network , physics , materials science , archaeology , quantum mechanics , composite number , computer science , composite material

The stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved organic matter ( δ 13 C‐DOC) reveals information about its source and extent of biological processing. Here we report the lowest δ 13 C‐DOC values (−43.8‰) measured to date in surface waters. The streams were located in the High Arctic, a region currently experiencing rapid changes in climate and carbon cycling. Based on the widespread occurrence of methane cycling in permafrost regions and the detection of the pmoA gene, a proxy for aerobic methanotrophs, we conclude that the low δ 13 C‐DOC values are due to organic matter partially derived from methanotrophs consuming biologically produced, 13 C‐depleted methane. These findings demonstrate the significant impact that biological activity has on the stream water chemistry exported from permafrost and glaciated environments in the Arctic. Given that the catchments studied here are representative of larger areas of the Arctic, occurrences of low δ 13 C‐DOC values may be more widespread than previously recognized, with implications for understanding C cycling in these environments.

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