Source Identification of Organic Carbon in Mountainous Reservoirs Sediments Using Stable Isotopes and n-Alkanes

Abstract

This study focuses on the sources of organic carbon (OC) in surface sediments of reservoirs in the mountainous regions, as well as their dynamics and contribution mechanisms in the carbon cycle. Spatial variations in organic carbon, n-alkanes, δ¹³C, and δ¹⁵N were analyzed, and a Bayesian isotope mixing model was applied to quantify the relative contributions of different OC sources. The results indicate that the concentration range of organic carbon in sediments is 0.88%–3.72%. The average concentration of long-chain n-alkanes is 3.69 μg/g, accounting for 71.4%, indicating that the main source of organic carbon is allochthonous organic carbon. In addition, the Bayesian mixture model results of carbon and nitrogen isotopes also indicate that allochthonous organic carbon is the main contributor. Specifically, sewage (33.1%), C₃ plants (27.1%), and soil organic carbon (19.9%) were identified as the dominant sources. This research highlights the influence of human activities, such as urbanization and agriculture, on OC dynamics and underscores the role of reservoirs in regulating OC transport. The findings provide critical insights into the mechanisms of OC sequestration in agricultural watersheds and offer valuable guidance for water resource management and ecological protection strategies in mountainous environments.