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Dissolved organic and inorganic carbon mass balances in central Ontario lakes

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Abstract

Mass balances of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolvedinorganic carbon (DIC) based on stream and precipitation inputs andoutflows were measured for seven unproductive lakes in central Ontariobetween 1981 and 1989. Net annual CO2 evasion occurred in sixof the seven study lakes with minor net invasion in the seventh. Atmosphericinvasion might have been significant at certain times of the year, particularlyduring the growing season. Net evasion rates were greater than DIC loadingrates, indicating partial mineralization of the terrestrially-derived DOC in thelakes. A steady state mass balance model adequately described the variationin DOC retention between lakes. Net annual carbon accumulation of forestcommunities based on estimates of net ecosystem production may beoverestimated because of significant export of carbon to lakes via streamsand groundwater, particularly in catchments with extensive peatlands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, Dorset Research Centre, P.O. Box 39, Bellwood Acres Road, Dorset, Ontario, Canada, P0A 1E0

    Peter J. Dillon

  2. Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3

    Lewis A. Molot

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  1. Peter J. Dillon
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  2. Lewis A. Molot
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Dillon, P.J., Molot, L.A. Dissolved organic and inorganic carbon mass balances in central Ontario lakes. Biogeochemistry 36, 29–42 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005731828660

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