Quantification of organic carbon storage in polluted river sediments

A methodology was developed in this study to estimate the volume of sediments in polluted river systems and their organic carbon storage quantities, through a case study of 6 river sections in Wenzhou, Southeastern China.... [ view full abstract ]

A methodology was developed in this study to estimate the volume of sediments in polluted river systems and their organic carbon storage quantities, through a case study of 6 river sections in Wenzhou, Southeastern China. These river sections have been receiving organic pollutants from local residents and industries for decades. The bathymetry data of the river sections were measured using an echo sounder equipped with a differential GPS. Sediment cores were collected for the analysis of organic carbon contents and sediment properties. The underwater digital elevation models of the river sections were developed using ArcGIS, and the carbon storages in sediments were then calculated using the bathymetric data and sediment analysis data. The results from a river network of 1.2 km2 revealed a total organic carbon storage of 42.8 million kg in its polluted sediments, which had a volume of 1.4 million m3. This indicates that the sediments in polluted rivers can be important carbon sinks in carbon cycle, which should be taken into consideration for proper river restoration planning.