Modeling the Influence of Changes in Arctic Soil on Dissolved Organic Macromolecules in Major Arctic Rivers.
The study investigates the influence of changes in Arctic soil on the composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in major Arctic rivers. The Arctic region has been experiencing significant climatic warming, leading to various impacts on land, water, and vegetation. These changes affect the carbon pools within the global carbon cycle. The Arctic drainage area is a significant reservoir of soil organic carbon, and alterations in the Arctic soil due to climate shifts can directly impact riverine DOC compositional fluxes which play a crucial role in the Arctic Ocean’s carbon budget, primary production, light penetration, and heat balance. To understand these complex relationships, a reduced model is developed to simulate the transformation of dissolved organic macromolecules (i.e., lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and colored dissolved organic matter) within major Arctic rivers that considers current Arctic soil and river/hydrological conditions. By understanding these relationships, the study provides valuable insights into how changes to Arctic soil could impact the river ecosystem and inputs to the Arctic coastal ocean.