Characteristics of δ13CDIC in lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and its implications for the carbon cycle

Abstract Dissolved inorganic carbon isotope (δ 13 C DIC ) is an important tool to reveal the carbon cycle in lake systems. However, there are only few studies focusing on the spatial variation of δ 13 C DIC of closed lakes. Here we analyze the characteristics of δ 13 C DIC of 24 sampled lakes (mainly closed lakes) across the Qiangtang Plateau (QTP) and identify the driving factors for its spatial variation. The δ 13 C DIC value of these observed lakes varies in the range of − 15·0 to 3·2‰, with an average value of − 1·2‰. The δ 13 C DIC value of closed lakes is close to the atmospheric isotopic equilibrium value, much higher than that in rivers and freshwater lakes reported before. The high δ 13 C DIC value of closed lakes is mainly attributed to the significant contribution of carbonate weathering in the catchment and the evasion of dissolved CO 2 induced by the strong evaporation of lake water. The δ 13 C DIC value of closed lakes has a logarithmic correlation with water chemistry (TDS, DIC and pCO 2 ), also suggesting that the evapo‐concentration of lake water can influence the δ 13 C DIC value. The δ 13 C DIC value shows two opposite logarithmic correlations with lake size depending on the δ 13 C DIC range. This study suggests that the δ 13 C in carbonates in lacustrine sediments can be taken as an indicator of lake volume variation in closed lakes on QTP. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.