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An Abrupt Aging of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Large Arctic Rivers
DOI: 10.1029/2020GL088823

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Schwab, Melissa S.; Hilton, Robert G.; Raymond, Peter A.; Haghipour, Negar; Amos, Edwin; Tank, Suzanne E.; Holmes, Robert M.; Tipper, Edward T.; Eglinton, Timothy I.

Source:

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, Volume 47, Number 23, p.e2020GL088823 (2020)

Abstract:

{Permafrost thaw in Arctic watersheds threatens to mobilize hitherto sequestered carbon. We examine the radiocarbon activity ((FC)-C-14) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the northern Mackenzie River basin. From 2003-2017, DOC-(FC)-C-14 signatures (1.00 0.04; n = 39) tracked atmospheric (CO2)-C-14, indicating export of ``modern'' carbon. This trend was interrupted in June 2018 by the widespread release of aged DOC (0.85 0.16