Spatial differentiation of sediment organic matter isotopic composition and inferred sources in a temperate forest lake catchment

Freshwater sediments are important carbon reservoirs, but the extent to which different components of soil or aquatic organic matter (OM) are deposited in these sediments is not well defined. Bulk sediment carbon (delta C-13) and nitrogen (delta N-15) stable isotope ratios, as well as radiocarbon, are valuable tracers for sediment OM sources, but there are few studies comparing the isotopic composition of soil and sediment OM at the catchment scale. We analyzed spatial variation in delta C-13, delta N-15, C-14, and C:N ratios in OM from soils, stream and lake sediments, and aquatic plants and algae, in a temperate forest lake catchment in southern Quebec, and used a Bayesian model to estimate source mixtures for sediment OM. Sediments at the stream mouths entering the lake were characterized by high C:N ratios, high fraction modern carbon (Fm), and low delta C-13, indicating preferential deposition of plant-derived OM. In contrast, sediments sampled further upstream during a period of low streamflow indicated a larger proportion of microbial OM based on low C:N ratios and high delta N-15. In lake sediments we observed zonation of OM isotopic composition by water depth. Shallow sediments (0-1 m water depth) were characterized by high amounts of plant-derived OM, while intermediate-depth sediments (1-3 m) were characterized by high delta C-13, indicating an increased input of OM from aquatic plants. Deep lake sediments (> 4 m) were characterized by low delta C-13 and Fm values, which likely reflect greater input of phytoplankton OM. Stream sediments downstream of the lake exhibited high delta N-15 and low Fm values, implying a greater input of aged microbial biomass from soils. Our results indicate catchment-scale spatial differentiation in the source of OM in sediments, with zones of preferential deposition of terrestrial plant, aquatic plant, phytoplankton, and soil microbial biomass.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the isotopic composition of soil, stream and lake sediments, and aquatic plants and algae in a temperate forest lake catchment in Quebec. The results showed spatial differentiation in the sources of organic matter in sediments, with preferential deposition of terrestrial plant, aquatic plant, phytoplankton, and soil microbial biomass. The isotopic composition of sediments also varied with water depth, with shallow sediments characterized by plant-derived organic matter and deep sediments characterized by phytoplankton-derived organic matter. Downstream sediments had a greater input of aged microbial biomass from soils.