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Source and Biogeochemical Distribution of Organic Matter in Surface Sediment in the Deep Oligotrophic Lake Fuxian, China

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Abstract

The source, quantity and quality of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) were investigated in the surface sediments of Lake Fuxian, a deep oligotrophic lacustrine system in China. Granulometry, biochemical organic composition, bulk organic proxies and their stable isotopes were determined in the surface sediments (0–4 cm). The values of δ13C, δ15N and atomic ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen (TOC/TN) indicated that the sediments in the large partial lake were influenced by autochthonous organic matter. The concentrations of TOC, protein (PRT) and total hydrolysable amino acids may be mainly modulated by phytodetritus sinking from euphotic zones since they correlated significantly with chlorins. Otherwise, the lack of correlation between chlorins concentrations and carbohydrate (CHO) and lipid (LIP) indicated that the latter may have an additional terrestrial source. The highest sediment quantity was found in the deepest station NC owing to its fine sediment. Stations near northwestern shore accumulated more SOM than other littoral stations, which was in accordance with sewage discharge strength. Degradation quality indices, such as chlorin index, degradation index, PRT/CHO, and LIP/CHO, were in general agreement in showing the degraded status of SOM in Lake Fuxian. No clear spatial patterns were found in sediment degradation quality, which may be influenced by bottom oxygen concentration in the deep stations.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41471075 and 41171366), and the Project of Collabrative Innovation Center of Water Treatment Technology and Material.

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China

    Xiangchao Chen, Muhua Feng, Fan Ke, Jizheng Pan, Fan Fan, Yarui Wang & Wenchao Li

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Xiangchao Chen, Fan Fan & Yarui Wang

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  1. Xiangchao Chen
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  2. Muhua Feng
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Correspondence to Muhua Feng.

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Chen, X., Feng, M., Ke, F. et al. Source and Biogeochemical Distribution of Organic Matter in Surface Sediment in the Deep Oligotrophic Lake Fuxian, China. Aquat Geochem 24, 55–77 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-018-9330-5

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