| Title |
Teal Carbon Potential of the Upo Wetland in Korea: Evidence from Diatom and Organic Carbon Distributions |
| Authors |
(Sang Deuk Lee) ; (Min Hwa Gu) ; (Mirye Park) ; (Kyung-Hoon Shin) ; (Hoil Lee) ; (Chae Hong Park) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.15681/KSWE.2025.41.6.576 |
| Keywords |
Freshwater diatoms; Teal carbon; Total organic carbon (TOC); Upo wetland |
| Abstract |
This study investigates the relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) content and diatom abundance in sediment cores from the Upo Wetland, the largest natural inland wetland in Korea. Four sediment cores (UPW02?UPW05) were collected from shallow marginal and central basin areas to analyze the spatial and vertical patterns of organic carbon storage and microalgal productivity. The results revealed distinct depth profiles for both TOC and diatom abundance, with the marginal core (UPW02) showing the highest TOC levels (up to 5%) and diatom densities (up to 3 × 107 cells g-1) within the upper 10 cm. In the central basin cores, TOC and diatom peaks were less pronounced and primarily concentrated in the upper 0?5 cm. Throughout all sites, intervals of elevated diatom abundance consistently coincided with TOC maxima. A significant positive correlation between TOC and diatom abundance (Spearman ρ = 0.46, p = 0.001) suggests that diatom productivity has contributed to recent sedimentary carbon accumulation. Statistical analyses (ANOVA, ANCOVA, LMM) indicated that both site and depth significantly impacted the TOC? diatom relationship, reflecting interactions among hydrology, geomorphology, and light availability. The spatial differences between shallow and deep zones imply that biogenic carbon accumulation is more effective in areas with higher nutrient input and hydrological variability. These findings underscore the role of microalgae, particularly diatoms, as critical biological agents in carbon sequestration within freshwater wetlands. By integrating high-resolution TOC and diatom profiles, this study provides a quantitative foundation for incorporating microalgal productivity into national greenhouse gas inventories and for developing carbon assessment frameworks for Korean inland wetlands. |