Atmospheric Deposition of Dissolved Organic Carbon

Atmospheric deposition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) constitutes a subtle but ecologically significant conduit of organic material from the atmosphere to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Organic compounds emitted as gases or bound to aerosol particles undergo transformation in the atmosphere, forming water-soluble fractions that are removed by precipitation (wet deposition) or by direct contact with surfaces (dry deposition). These inputs influence soil and water biogeochemistry by supplying carbon and associated nutrients, modulating microbial activity and affecting carbon budgets at local to global scales. Seasonal and spatial variability in deposition reflect changes in emissions, atmospheric processing and meteorological patterns, with implications for ecosystem productivity, water quality and carbon cycle feedbacks under a changing climate.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have characterised water-soluble organic aerosols at a high-elevation site in the Rocky Mountains, demonstrating strong correlations between dissolved organic carbon concentrations and optical absorbance metrics. Source apportionment revealed that biomass burning dominated DOC inputs in spring and autumn, while secondary organic aerosol formation and urban emissions drove summer peaks. Backward trajectory analysis confirmed that both wildfire plumes and regional pollution contribute to episodic DOC deposition in remote catchments. This work has provided a mechanistic framework for understanding how distinct emission sources and atmospheric processes shape DOC fluxes to sensitive mountain environments.

Atmospheric Deposition of Dissolved Organic Carbon publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in atmospheric deposition of dissolved organic carbon across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC): organic molecules of varying complexity dissolved in atmospheric droplets or aerosols, measured as carbon concentration.

Wet deposition: the removal of atmospheric constituents by precipitation, including rain, snow and fog.

Dry deposition: the direct transfer of gases and particles from the atmosphere to surfaces without precipitation.

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA): particles formed in the atmosphere through oxidation of volatile organic compounds, contributing to dissolved organic fractions.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs): organic gases emitted by vegetation that undergo atmospheric reactions leading to aerosol formation and DOC deposition.

References

1. Water soluble organic aerosols in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, USA: composition, sources and optical properties. Scientific Reports (2016).
2. Spatial and Temporal Patterns in Atmospheric Deposition of Dissolved Organic Carbon. Global Biogeochemical Cycles (2022).
3. Atmospheric deposition of organic matter at a remote site in the central Mediterranean Sea: implications for the marine ecosystem. Biogeosciences (2020).
4. Atmospheric deposition as a source of carbon and nutrients to an alpine catchment of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Biogeosciences (2012).