Temperature-dependence of the relationship between <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub> and dissolved organic carbon in lakes

Abstract. The relationship between the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in Brazilian lakes, encompassing 225 samples across a wide latitudinal range in the tropics, was tested. Unlike the positive relationship reported for lake waters, which was largely based on temperate lakes, we found no significant relationship for tropical and subtropical Brazilian lakes, despite very broad ranges in both pCO2 and DOC. Closer examination showed that the strength of pCO2 vs. DOC relationships declines with increasing water temperature, suggesting substantial differences in carbon cycling in warm lakes, which must be considered when upscaling limnetic carbon cycling to global scales.