Escalating Carbon Export from High-Elevation Rivers in a Warming Climate

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06777
• Publication Date: 2024-04-11T11:56:31Z
• Authors: Sen Xu; Si-Liang Li; Aaron Bufe; Marcus Klaus; Jun Zhong; Hang Wen; Shuai Chen; Li Li

High-elevation mountains have experienced disproportionately rapid warming, yet the effect of warming on lateral export terrestrial carbon to rivers remains poorly explored and understood in these regions. Here, we present a long-term data set dissolved inorganic (DIC) more detailed, short-term DIC, δ13CDIC, organic from two major Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, Jinsha River (JSR) Yalong (YLR). In higher-elevation JSR with ∼51% continuous permafrost coverage, (>3 °C) increasing precipitation coincided substantially increased DIC concentrations by 35% fluxes 110%. lower-elevation YLR ∼14% permafrost, such increases did not occur despite comparable extent warming. Riverine particulate discharge (mobilization) both rivers. JSR, transitioned dilution (decreasing concentration discharge) earlier, colder years chemostasis (relatively constant concentration) later, warmer years. This changing pattern, together lighter δ13CDIC under high discharge, suggests that thawing boosts production via enhancing soil respiration weathering. These findings reveal predominant role altering escalating modifying patterns.