Source Identification of Organic Carbon in Mountainous Reservoirs Sediments Using Stable Isotopes and <i>n‐Alkanes</i>

Summary

Abstract This study focuses on the sources of organic carbon (OC) in surface sediments of reservoirs in the mountainous regions, as well as their dynamics and contribution mechanisms in the carbon cycle. Spatial variations in organic carbon, n‐alkanes, δ 13 C, and δ 15 N were analyzed, and a Bayesian isotope mixing model was applied to quantify the relative contributions of different OC sources. The results indicate that the concentration range of organic carbon in sediments is 0.88%–3.72%. The average concentration of long‐chain n‐alkanes is 3.69 μg/g, accounting for 71.4%, indicating that the main source of organic carbon is allochthonous organic carbon. In addition, the Bayesian mixture model results of carbon and nitrogen isotopes also indicate that allochthonous organic carbon is the