carbon dynamics; carbon storage; erosion; floodplain; mean residence time; sedimentation; source/sink; stable isotopes; Active channels; Carbon dynamics; Carbon storage; Decomposition rate; Flood plains; Floodplain soils; Mean residence time; Sedimentation rates; Source-sink; Stable isotopes; Water Science and Technology
Abstract :
[en] The fate of organic carbon deposited in floodplain sediments is an important control on the magnitude and direction of the carbon flux from anthropogenically accelerated erosion and channelization of the riverine network. Globally, carbon deposition rates and mean residence time (MRT) within different geomorphic settings remains poorly constrained. We sampled soil profiles to 0.8 m depth from two geomorphic zones: active channel belt (ACB) and lowland floodplain, under long-term pasture adjacent to the river Culm in SW England, UK. We evaluated sedimentation rates and carbon storage using fallout radionuclide 137Cs, particle size and total carbon analyses. Variation in decomposition was assessed via empirical (soil aggregate size, density fractionation combined with natural abundance 13C analysis) and modelling simulation (using the RothC model and catchment implications explored using a floodplain evolution model). Sedimentation and carbon accumulation rates were 5–6 times greater in the ACB than the floodplain. Carbon decomposition rates also varied with geomorphic setting. In floodplain cores, faster decomposition rates were indicated by greater 13C-enrichment and subsoils dominated by mineral-associated soil organic carbon. Whereas, in the ACB, carbon was less processed and 13C-depleted, with light fraction and macroaggregate-carbon throughout the cores, and RothC modelled decomposition rates were 4-fold less than lowland floodplain cores. Including the ACB in floodplain carbon MRT calculations increased overall MRT by 10%. The major differences in the balance of sedimentation and decomposition rates between active and inactive floodplains suggests the relative extent of these contrasting zones is critical to the overall carbon balance. Restoration projects could enhance soil carbon storage by maximizing active floodplain areas by increasing river channel complexity.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Quine, Timothy A.; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
Cressey, Elizabeth L. ; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
Dungait, Jennifer A. J.; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
De Baets, Sarah; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom ; Soil and Agrifood Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom ; Research Coordination Office, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Meersmans, Jeroen ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Echanges Eau - Sol - Plantes ; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom ; Soil and Agrifood Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
Jones, Matthew W.; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom ; Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
Nicholas, Andrew P.; Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
Language :
English
Title :
Geomorphically mediated carbon dynamics of floodplain soils and implications for net effect of carbon erosion
This work was funded by UK Natural Environment Research Council as part of the Impacts of Climate Change on Erosion, Sediment and Transport and Soil Carbon in the UK and Europe project (NE/E011713/1). MWJ contribution was supported by NERC PhD studentship (NE/L002434/1) and NERC Independent Research Fellowship (NE/V01417X/1). We thank Sophie M. Green for her helpful manuscript comments, Daisy Atkins for her digitisation of the Culm catchment, Richard Jones and Neville England for their fieldwork assistance, and the Exeter University technician team for their laboratory assistance.This work was funded by UK Natural Environment Research Council as part of the Impacts of Climate Change on Erosion, Sediment and Transport and Soil Carbon in the UK and Europe project (NE/E011713/1). MWJ contribution was supported by NERC PhD studentship (NE/L002434/1) and NERC Independent Research Fellowship (NE/V01417X/1). We thank Sophie M. Green for her helpful manuscript comments, Daisy Atkins for her digitisation of the Culm catchment, Richard Jones and Neville England for their fieldwork assistance, and the Exeter University technician team for their laboratory assistance.
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