Characterization, sources and transport of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from a glacier in the Central Asia

Glacier melting represents an important flux of carbon and nitrogen (N) and affects the hydrological cycle. In this study, we presented the features of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and N concentrations, their potential sources and export from the Muz Taw glacier in Central Asia. The average DOC and total dissolved nitrogen concentrations were 1.12 ± 1.66 and 0.62 ± 0.59 mg L^-1 in surface snow and 0.21 ± 0.04 and 0.31 ± 0.10 mg L^-1 in snowpit samples, respectively. The values from snowpit of the Muz Taw glacier were comparable to data reported from glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau but were considerably higher than those from polar regions. The C/N ratios in snow ranged from 0.7 to 11.7, indicating the high bioavailability of DOC. Mass absorption cross section of DOC at 365 nm in snow indicated that during the snow melting process, light-absorbing DOC was prone to be attached to particles, especially in the ablation zone of the Muz Taw glacier. Radiative forcing caused by DOC contributed approximately 38 ± 26% and 18 ± 9.8% of that caused by black carbon for surface snow and snowpit samples, respectively. DOC and N deposition on the glacier surface were influenced by the combined sources from anthropogenic input, wild biomass burning emission, and dust input from local regions and long range transport. Export of DOC and N from the Muz Taw glacier was estimated to be 3.47-18.5 t C yr^-1 and 5.11-10.23 t N yr^-1 respectively, based on their concentrations and current glacier mass balance. These results enhanced our understanding of the sources and cycle of DOC and N released from glaciers in Central Asia, where glacier meltwater can protect the population from drought stress.