Natural and anthropogenic impacts on the DOC characteristics in the Yellow River continuum. (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wen, Zhidan; Song, Kaishan; Shang, Yingxin; Lyu, Lili; Tao, Hui; Liu, Ge
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 287(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: Dissolved organic carbon -- Carbon sources -- Human activities -- Driver factor; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The Yellow River is the second largest river in China. Carbon transport by the Yellow River has significant influence on riverine carbon cycles in Asia. During the wet season, the riverine carbon was mainly found in dissolved form, i.e., dissolved organic carbon (DOC), along the entire course of the river. The distinct spatial variations of DOC concentration were observed at different reaches of the mainstream ( p < 0.01), while the highest mean DOC concentration was generally observed at midstream (4.13 ± 0.91 mg/L). Carbon stable isotope analysis δ 13 C and C: N ratio of DOC, evidenced the sources of DOC in headwater and upstream were primarily the terrestrial plants (94% and 61%), but it was changed to soil organic matter (SOM) in mid- and downstream (36% and 37%), and the contribution of sewage to DOC were also increased to 17% and 18%. In the whole mainstream of the Yellow River, water temperature (WT) had a significant impact on DOC concentration, and it could explain 67% of the DOC variance. However, in a large catchment, the driving mechanisms on the DOC variations in headwaters will not necessarily be those controlling DOC trends in downstream. The study firstly quantified, in headwater and upstream, the natural factors explained as much as 65% and 73% of the DOC variations, respectively. In mid- and downstream areas, DOC was significantly influenced by the amount of wastewater discharged by the industry and the use of chemical fertilizers ( p < 0.05). These findings may facilitate a better assessment of global riverine carbon cycling and may help to reveal the importance of the balance between development and environmental sustainability with the changing DOC transport features in the Yellow River due to human disturbances. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: DOC concentrations differed in different Yellow River reaches. The main sources of DOC in headwater and upstream were the terrestrial plants. The main sources of DOC in mid- and downstream were soil organic matter. Natural factors explained 65% and 73% of DOC variations in headwater and upstream. DOC in mid- and downstream was influenced by anthropogenic activities with 11%–42%.