Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2025
09:38
Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: October 29, 2016
10.4K
Eco-morphodynamic carbon pumping by the largest rivers in the Neotropics
Luca Salerno1, Paolo Vezza2, Paolo Perona3
1Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, Turin, 10129, Italy. luca.salerno@polito.it.
Scientific Reports
|April 5, 2023
Summary
Large tropical rivers in South and Central America mobilize 8.9 million tons of carbon annually through a natural Carbon Pump mechanism driven by river morphodynamics. This process is crucial for understanding carbon flux and impacts of development.
Area of Science:
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Ecology
- Hydrology
Background:
- Large tropical rivers are significant components of global carbon cycles.
- The interplay between river dynamics and carbon flux in the Neotropics is not fully quantified.
- Riparian vegetation plays a key role in carbon sequestration and export.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the carbon flux from riparian vegetation to inland waters in South and Central American rivers.
- To analyze the eco-morphodynamic activity driving this carbon mobilization.
- To develop a quantification of the "Carbon Pump" mechanism in Neotropical rivers.
Main Methods:
- Multi-temporal satellite data analysis (2000-2019) for rivers wider than 200 m in the Neotropics.
- Quantification of the Carbon Pump mechanism based on river morphodynamics.
- Identification of eco-morphological signatures as proxies for carbon mobilization.
Main Results:
- River morphodynamics drives significant carbon export from riparian zones.
- An efficient Carbon Pump mechanism accounts for 8.9 million tons/year of carbon mobilization in these rivers.
- Fluvial eco-morphological activity provides proxies for carbon mobilization capability.
Conclusions:
- River migration and morphodynamics are intrinsically linked to carbon mobilization.
- This mechanism significantly influences the carbon intensity of planned hydroelectric dams.
- Future carbon-focused water policies should incorporate eco-morphological assessments of Neotropical rivers.
Related Concept Videos
01:14The Carbon Cycle
38.9K
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
38.9K
01:17What is an Ecosystem?
40.0K
Overview
40.0K
01:06Primary Production
23.7K
The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.
23.7K
02:03Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
24.2K
The xylem of vascular plants distributes water and dissolved minerals that are taken up by the roots to the rest of the plant. The cells that transport xylem sap are dead upon maturity, and the movement of xylem sap is a passive process.
24.2K
00:54What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
33.4K
The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.
33.4K
00:46Trophic Efficiency
20.8K
Trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE) is a measure of the total energy transfer from one trophic level to the next. Due to extensive energy loss as metabolic heat, an average of only 10% of the original energy obtained is passed on to the next level. This pattern of energy loss severely limits the possible number of trophic levels in a food chain.
20.8K