How does preferential flow influence carbon transport and changes between DIC, DOC and POC? Advances with combined modeling and stable isotope approaches (Pref-Carb-Flow)

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In a joint effort between the Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology (DHH), at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) at the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and the chair of Applied Geology at the University of Erlangen, the role of CO2, dissolved inorganic and organic as well as particulate organic carbon (DIC, DOC and POC) turnover and transport will be investigated with particular focus on preferential flow and its modeling. The study area is the Uhlirska Catchment in the Jizera Mountains of the Czech Republic that lies in a granitic bedrock environment and thus covers an acid-sensitive terrain that has strongly variable --and so far poorly constrained -- carbon dynamics. The latter are caused by active acid weathering, partial cover by peats and other carbon-rich soils. The work proposed here is highly complementary to a parallel submission by partners from CTU to the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) (Subsurface transport of water, carbon and heat - combined hydrological, geochemical and isotopic approach). This is because newly developed models for this test area can quantify flow paths and were calibrated with stable isotopes of water. They are thus an ideal foundation for expansion to carbon cycle investigations with associated isotope distributions, residence times and the most important compartments of storage and turnover in the catchment. Furthermore historic and new data as well infrastructure, field- and laboratory efforts will be shared between the involved research groups via this approach.