Determining dominating control mechanisms of inland water carbon cycling processes and associated gross primary productivity on regional and global scales

Inland water carbon (C) sequestration rates play a potentially important role in the balance between C supplies from the atmosphere and associated watersheds and the net demand of primary producers. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of influencing factors associated with inland water C cycling processes as well as their C sequestration potential and gross primary productivity (GPP). Additionally, we also analyze changes in the balance between C sequestration processes and GPP. Furthermore, this study describes applicable research methods used to quantify C cycling and GPP processes as well as providing corresponding estimates on regional and global scales. Finally, we offer a scientific basis to chronicle how inland water productivity controls exogenous C inputs as well as changes to biological, physical, and chemical factors. Investigations into inland water C sequestration processes under a background of climate warming will become more critical in the future, necessitating the inclusion of different aquatic system component classifications and plant species community types to determine the effects associated with GPP and C dynamic mechanisms within aquatic systems that constitute this diverse water system.