Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an essential form of carbon in lakes and has significant impact on thermal structure and carbon source-supporting food webs. Current remote sensing studies on DOC mainly focus on the retrieval of surface concentration of lakes, with limited understanding of three-di...

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Main Authors: Yufeng Yang, Wei Gao, Yuan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/10/1791
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author Yufeng Yang
Wei Gao
Yuan Zhang
author_facet Yufeng Yang
Wei Gao
Yuan Zhang
author_sort Yufeng Yang
collection DOAJ
description Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an essential form of carbon in lakes and has significant impact on thermal structure and carbon source-supporting food webs. Current remote sensing studies on DOC mainly focus on the retrieval of surface concentration of lakes, with limited understanding of three-dimensional carbon storage. This study proposes a novel vertical retrieval methodology for plateau lakes by integrating remote sensing and vertical profile analysis. Specifically, a Gaussian function-based vertical fitting model was developed to characterize DOC concentration distribution along water columns, where parameters (μ and σ) were calibrated against surface DOC concentrations retrieved from MODIS reflectance. A result-oriented storage algorithm was established by linking surface DOC concentration to DOC storage through linear relationships (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.9), with slope and intercept functions optimized as depth-dependent equations. The mixed-layer depth (2 m) was determined through error minimization analysis of 16 vertical profiles. Applied to the eutrophic Lake Dianchi, results show significant vertical DOC variations (CV up to 101.4%) but consistent distribution patterns across profiles. Spatially, higher DOC storage occurred in central regions (80–120 g·m<sup>−2</sup>) with seasonal peaks in summer and autumn. Interannual analysis reveals wind speed and forest coverage as dominant drivers, while monthly variations correlate strongly with water temperature. This methodology advances real-time monitoring of carbon storage in deep plateau lakes, providing critical insights into lacustrine carbon cycling.
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spelling doaj-art-16b6173f12b349d88c7660d7e947db272025-08-20T01:56:38ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-05-011710179110.3390/rs17101791Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake DianchiYufeng Yang0Wei Gao1Yuan Zhang2Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaDissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an essential form of carbon in lakes and has significant impact on thermal structure and carbon source-supporting food webs. Current remote sensing studies on DOC mainly focus on the retrieval of surface concentration of lakes, with limited understanding of three-dimensional carbon storage. This study proposes a novel vertical retrieval methodology for plateau lakes by integrating remote sensing and vertical profile analysis. Specifically, a Gaussian function-based vertical fitting model was developed to characterize DOC concentration distribution along water columns, where parameters (μ and σ) were calibrated against surface DOC concentrations retrieved from MODIS reflectance. A result-oriented storage algorithm was established by linking surface DOC concentration to DOC storage through linear relationships (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.9), with slope and intercept functions optimized as depth-dependent equations. The mixed-layer depth (2 m) was determined through error minimization analysis of 16 vertical profiles. Applied to the eutrophic Lake Dianchi, results show significant vertical DOC variations (CV up to 101.4%) but consistent distribution patterns across profiles. Spatially, higher DOC storage occurred in central regions (80–120 g·m<sup>−2</sup>) with seasonal peaks in summer and autumn. Interannual analysis reveals wind speed and forest coverage as dominant drivers, while monthly variations correlate strongly with water temperature. This methodology advances real-time monitoring of carbon storage in deep plateau lakes, providing critical insights into lacustrine carbon cycling.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/10/1791dissolved organic carbonremote sensingplateau lakescarbon storagevertical distribution
spellingShingle Yufeng Yang
Wei Gao
Yuan Zhang
Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi
Remote Sensing
dissolved organic carbon
remote sensing
plateau lakes
carbon storage
vertical distribution
title Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi
title_full Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi
title_fullStr Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi
title_full_unstemmed Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi
title_short Retrieval of Dissolved Organic Carbon Storage in Plateau Lakes Based on Remote Sensing and Analysis of Driving Factors: A Case Study of Lake Dianchi
title_sort retrieval of dissolved organic carbon storage in plateau lakes based on remote sensing and analysis of driving factors a case study of lake dianchi
topic dissolved organic carbon
remote sensing
plateau lakes
carbon storage
vertical distribution
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/10/1791
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AT yuanzhang retrievalofdissolvedorganiccarbonstorageinplateaulakesbasedonremotesensingandanalysisofdrivingfactorsacasestudyoflakedianchi