Extreme storms and changes in particulate and dissolved organic carbon in runoff: Entering uncharted waters?. Issue 7 (11th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhillon, Gurbir Singh; Inamdar, Shreeram
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 40:Issue 7(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1322
• Page End: 1327
• Publication Date: 2013-04-11
• Subjects: storm events -- catchment runoff -- particulate organic carbon -- dissolved organic carbon; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/grl.50306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: [1] We determined the runoff exports of particulate (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from a 12 ha forested catchment which received more than 14 storm events in a 16‐month period and three extreme events associated with hurricanes. While POC and DOC exports for the small events were comparable, POC exports for the hurricane‐associated events were six to eight times the DOC values. Hurricane Irene alone contributed to 56% (21.2 kg C ha –1 ) and 19% (3.3 kg C ha –1 ) of the 2011 exports of POC and DOC, respectively. A precipitation threshold beyond which POC fluxes rapidly outpaced the DOC values was also identified. Our study suggests that large, high‐intensity storm events that are predicted to increase under future climate‐change scenarios will dramatically alter the runoff C regime by enhancing the POC inputs to aquatic ecosystems. Such shift in C forms could have important consequences for aquatic biota, atmospheric C cycling, and ecosystem and human health. Key Points: POC mass exports during extreme storm events are much greater than DOC POC exports increase dramatically beyond a specific precipitation threshold Shift in C forms will impact water quality, C cycling and ecosystem health