Inter-laboratory differences in the apparent quantum yield for the photochemical production of dissolved inorganic carbon in inland waters and implications for photochemical rate modeling

Solar radiation initiates photochemical oxidation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in inland waters, contributing to their carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Models can determine photochemical DIC production over large spatiotemporal scales and assess its role in aquatic C cycling. The apparent quantum yield (AQY) spectrum for photochemical DIC production, defined as mol DIC produced per mol chromophoric dissolved organic matter-absorbed photons, is a critical model parameter. In previous studies, the principle for the determination of AQY spectra is the same but methodological specifics differ, and the extent to which these differences influence AQY spectra and simulated aquatic DIC photoproduction is unclear. Here, four laboratories determined AQY spectra from water samples of eight inland waters that are situated in Alaska, Finland, and Sweden and span a nearly 10-fold range in DOM absorption coefficients. All AQY values fell within the range previously reported for inland waters. The inter-laboratory coefficient of variation (CV) for wavelength-integrated AQY spectra (300-450 nm) averaged 38% +/- 3% SE, and the inter-water CV averaged 63% +/- 1%. The inter-laboratory CV for simulated photochemical DIC production (conducted for the five Swedish lakes) averaged 49% +/- 12%, and the inter-water CV averaged 77% +/- 10%. This uncertainty is not surprising given the complexities and methodological choices involved in determining DIC AQY spectra and needs to be considered when applying photochemical rate modeling. Thus, we also highlight current methodological limitations and suggest future improvements for DIC AQY determination to reduce inter-laboratory uncertainty.

Automated summary

Solar radiation induces photochemical oxidation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in inland waters, contributing to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The apparent quantum yield (AQY) spectrum is a critical model parameter for determining photochemical DIC production. In this study, four laboratories determined AQY spectra for eight inland water samples from Alaska, Finland, and Sweden, and found high variability among laboratories and water bodies.