ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Temporal-Spatial Pattern of Dissolved Organic
Carbon and Its Influencing Factors in a Typical
Subtropical Lake, Lake Gehu, China
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1
College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, China
2
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Nanjing 210042, China
Submission date: 2021-09-14
Final revision date: 2021-11-25
Acceptance date: 2021-12-07
Online publication date: 2022-05-05
Publication date: 2022-06-20
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(4):3221-3233
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ABSTRACT
In this study, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of dissolved organic
carbon (DOC) concentration in Gehu Lake, Taihu Lake Basin, China, and its influencing factors
were studied through annual surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019 to aid its management and restoration.
The DOC concentration ranged from 1.92 to 5.60 mg·L-1, and the average DOC concentration was
3.30±0.78 mg·L-1. The DOC concentration was highest in winter, followed by spring, summer and
autumn; it was significantly higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. The DOC
concentration was lower in the northern area and higher in coastal areas. Linear fitting showed that
DOC concentration was strongly positively correlated with the absorption coefficient of chromophoric
dissolved organic matter, the permanganate index, particulate phosphorus and particulate nitrogen
(p<0.01) and significantly positively correlated with organic suspended solids (0.01<p<0.05).
The photosynthesis of phytoplankton and the input of exogenous organic matter were the most
important factors affecting the concentration of DOC in Gehu Lake. These results provide information
for the governance of Gehu lakes.