Quantitatively tracing the decomposition of endogenous particulate organic carbon during sinking in (sub-)deep reservoirs: Using radiocarbon isotopes Δ14C

•Δ14C can effectively trace the POC sources in river-reservoir system.•Endogenous OC decomposition during deposition is quantitatively estimated byΔ14C.•>70 % of the endogenous OC decomposed within water column in Hongfeng reservoir.•Carbon cycling in water column significantly affects reservoirs' carbon sink effect. The rapid expansion of reservoirs, coupled with increasing eutrophication, has profoundly influenced regional and global carbon cycles. To precisely assess the carbon sink potential of reservoirs, it is crucial to quantify the decomposition of endogenous particulate organic carbon (POC) during the deposition and sinking of particulate matter in reservoirs. This is particularly important in the context of rising temperatures and intensified human activities. In this study, the Hongfeng Reservoir, an artificial reservoir in a karst basin on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in China, was selected as a representative reservoir to systematically explore the sources and evolution of endogenous POC in (sub-)deep reservoirs. Particulate matter and water samples were collected from inflowing rivers and reservoir water profiles to analyze the content of POC, stable isotope of POC (δ13CPOC), radioisotope of POC (Δ14CPOC), particulate nitrogen, and chlorophyll concentrations. The results revealed significant differences in POC content and carbon isotope signatures between riverine and reservoir particulate matter, primarily due to distinct POC sources. Riverine particulate matter exhibited C/N ratios of 10.4 to 18.4, δ13CPOC values of -29.3 ‰ to -26.1 ‰, and Δ14CPOC values of -282 ‰ to -183 ‰, in contrast, particulate matter in the reservoir's surface water had C/N ratios of 5.1 to 6.9, δ13CPOC values of -34.6 ‰ to -31.3 ‰, and Δ14CPOC values of -162 ‰ to -143 ‰. From the surface to the bottom of the reservoir water profile, the C/N ratio of particulate matter gradually increased, Δ14CPOC became increasingly negative, and δ13CPOC exhibited varying trends across different water profiles. The combined analysis of chlorophyll and other variables demonstrated that Δ14CPOC is the most reliable indicator for tracing the source and decomposition process of POC during particulate matter sinking in the reservoir. Quantitative estimates based on Δ14CPOC indicated that the contribution of endogenous POC decreased from 73–85 % in the surface water to 41–57 % in the bottom water, with 74.7–75.4 % of endogenous POC decomposed during the sinking process, suggesting that only