Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Monitoring Pedogenic Inorganic Carbon Accumulation Due to Weathering of Amended Silicate Minerals in Agricultural Soils.
Published on: June 4, 2021
Escalating Carbon Export from High-Elevation Rivers in a Warming Climate
Sen Xu1, Si-Liang Li1, Aaron Bufe2
1Institute of Surface-Earth System Sciences, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
Warming mountain ecosystems significantly increases dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) export from rivers, especially in permafrost regions. Permafrost thaw enhances carbon release, altering riverine carbon dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Climate Science
Background:
- High-elevation mountains face rapid warming, impacting terrestrial carbon export.
- The effects of warming on riverine carbon export in these sensitive regions are poorly understood.
- Permafrost thaw is a critical process in high-mountain environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of warming on dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and organic carbon export from rivers on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
- To differentiate the effects of warming and permafrost thaw on riverine carbon dynamics.
- To analyze long-term and short-term datasets of carbon isotopes and concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Collected long-term data on dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC).
- Acquired short-term data on DIC, δ13C-DIC, and organic carbon from the Jinsha River (JSR) and Yalong River (YLR).
- Analyzed carbon concentrations and fluxes in relation to temperature, precipitation, and discharge.
Main Results:
- Warming (>3 °C) and increased precipitation in the high-elevation JSR (51% permafrost) led to a 35% increase in DIC concentration and a 110% increase in DIC flux.
- Comparable warming in the lower-elevation YLR (14% permafrost) did not yield similar increases in DIC.
- DIC concentrations in the JSR shifted from dilution to chemostasis with warming, and lighter δ13C-DIC under high discharge indicated permafrost thaw contribution.
Conclusions:
- Warming is a primary driver altering lateral carbon export in high-elevation river systems.
- Permafrost thaw significantly boosts DIC production and export by enhancing soil respiration and weathering.
- Riverine carbon export patterns are modified by warming, with permafrost regions showing amplified responses.
Related Concept Videos
Global Climate Change
The Carbon Cycle
Threats to Biodiversity
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Responses to Drought and Flooding
What is Climate?

