PNNL

Abstract

Riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC), primarily sourced from soil organic carbon (SOC), plays a crucial role in regional and global carbon cycles. However, the complexities of the underlying mechanisms and limited observations present significant challenges for predictive understanding of DOC at regional or larger scales. Recently, we developed a machine learning-based (ML) map of DOC transformation rates, bridging the gap between SOC and DOC leaching flux and simplifying terrestrial DOC representation. Building on this advancement, we introduce MOSART-DOC, a DOC module integrated into the riverine component of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM)—the Model for Scale Adaptive River Transport (MOSART). MOSART-DOC simulates DOC transport and transformation across both headwater streams and river networks, including those managed. Model validation demonstrates the ability of MOSART-DOC to accurately capture long-term average DOC concentrations, with Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE) scores of 0.58 and 0.76 at large and local stations, respectively. We further assess the impact of reservoirs through different simulation schemes, revealing that reservoirs significantly alter DOC fluxes by regulating streamflow patterns and promoting DOC mineralization. Model simulations indicate that reservoirs reduce total DOC flux from the Mississippi River into the ocean by 7.5%. MOSART-DOC represents a hybrid modeling framework within Earth System Models, integrating process-based modeling with ML techniques to enhance the predictive understanding of riverine biogeochemical processes. This approach reduces uncertainties in modeling regional and global carbon cycle ESMs and provides new insights into carbon cycling and its implications for global environmental change.