Riverine dissolved organic carbon and its optical properties in a permafrost region of the Upper Heihe River basin in the Northern Tibetan Plateau

Riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its optical properties were investigated in two sub-river basins (Yeniugou and Hulugou river) of the Upper Heihe river basin in the northern Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that DOC concentrations ranged from 0.25 to 12.2 and 0.18–1.04 mg L−1 for Yeniugou and Hulugou river basin with an average of 0.82 and 0.33 mg L−1, respectively. Export of DOC from the studied river (YNG: ~0.86 Gg C yr−1) was lesser compared with other large river in the Tibetan Plateau and Arctic regions because of the small drainage area and lower DOC concentrations. There exhibited significant seasonality for DOC in Yeniugou river basin with higher values observed during late spring and summer; however, no such distinct trend was observed for DOC in the studied rivers of Hulugou river basin. In contrast, total dissolved nitrogen showed a slightly lower value during the summer season. A strong relationship was determined between DOC concentrations and spectral UV absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254), absorption coefficients and spectral slope for both sub-river basins, attributing that the riverine DOM in the northern Tibetan Plateau has a remarkably high content of aromatic compounds in late spring and summer. Considering the less snow cover percentage, this study highlights the potential impacts of permafrost thaw on the riverine DOC and its characteristics in the permafrost region under climate change. [Display omitted] •Riverine dissolved organic carbon in the northern Tibetan Plateau was investigated.•DOC in Yeniugou river basin showed higher values in late spring and summer.•Optical characteristics of riverine DOC indicated high aromatic compounds in summer.•Considering less snow cover in the studied area, riverine DOC may be mostly affected by permafrost thaw.