1944-7973/asset/olbannerleft.jpg?v=1&s=9459417395f93af496f652ec915a201230bef9a9)
1944-7973/asset/olbannerright.png?v=1&s=49aab3b1e3c8d9b26af0c01e354bc7bbc5cbb2e7)
Regular Article
Carbon export and cycling by the Yukon, Tanana, and Porcupine rivers, Alaska, 2001–2005
Article first published online: 10 FEB 2007
DOI: 10.1029/2006WR005201
Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.
1944-7973/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=797107f92f501d54ec880f7cc7998a974ae89f63 "Water Resources Research")
Additional Information
How to Cite
, , , , and (2007), Carbon export and cycling by the Yukon, Tanana, and Porcupine rivers, Alaska, 2001–2005, Water Resour. Res., 43, W02411, doi:10.1029/2006WR005201.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 10 FEB 2007
- Article first published online: 10 FEB 2007
- Manuscript Accepted: 6 NOV 2006
- Manuscript Revised: 17 OCT 2006
- Manuscript Received: 25 MAY 2006
Keywords:
- carbon export;
- climate change;
- Yukon River Basin
[1] Loads and yields of dissolved and particulate organic and inorganic carbon (DOC, POC, DIC, PIC) were measured and modeled at three locations on the Yukon River (YR) and on the Tanana and Porcupine rivers (TR, PR) in Alaska during 2001–2005. Total YR carbon export averaged 7.8 Tg C yr−1, 30% as OC and 70% as IC. Total C yields (0.39–1.03 mol C m−2 yr−1) were proportional to water yields (139–356 mm yr−1; r2 = 0.84) at all locations. Summer DOC had an aged component (fraction modern (FM) = 0.94–0.97), except in the permafrost wetland-dominated PR, where DOC was modern. POC had FM = 0.63–0.70. DOC had high concentration, high aromaticity, and high hydrophobic content in spring and low concentration, low aromaticity, and high hydrophilic content in winter. About half of annual DOC export occurred during spring. DIC concentration and isotopic composition were strongly affected by dissolution of suspended carbonates in glacial meltwater during summer.