Carbon source-sink dynamics and carbon flux constraints in terrestrial lake systems during the EECO and MECO of the Eocene: a case study from Yilan Basin,Northeast China

doi:10.7605/gdlxb.2026.131

Journal of Palaeogeography（Chinese Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4): 1230-1241. doi: 10.7605/gdlxb.2026.131

• SPECIAL TOPIC ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROFESSOR FENG ZENGZHAO • Previous Articles Next Articles

Carbon source-sink dynamics and carbon flux constraints in terrestrial lake systems during the EECO and MECO of the Eocene: a case study from Yilan Basin,Northeast China

MENG Qingtao¹^,²(), KANG Jianan¹^,²(), HU Fei¹^,², LI Chenxiang¹^,², HU Xinhang¹^,²

¹ College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China
² Key Laboratory for Oil Shale and Coexisting Minerals of Jilin Province, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China

Received:2025-12-09 Revised:2026-04-26 Online:2026-08-01 Published:2026-08-14
Contact: KANG Jianan,born in 1999,Ph.D.,engaged in unconventional hydrocarbon resources,Eocene climate and environment,and carbon cycle research. E-mail: kangjn21@mails.jlu.edu.cn.
About author:
MENG Qingtao,born in 1984,Ph.D.,professor,engaged in sedimentology,petroleum geology,unconventional oil/gas reservoir formation theory & resource assessment,Meso-Cenozoic climate,environment,and carbon cycle research. E-mail: mengqt@jlu.edu.cn.
Supported by:
Jilin Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project(20230101081JC)

始新世EECO和MECO期间陆相湖泊系统碳源-汇动态与碳通量约束: 以东北地区依兰盆地为例^*

孟庆涛¹^,²(), 康嘉楠¹^,²(), 胡菲¹^,², 李陈向¹^,², 胡新航¹^,²

¹ 吉林大学地球科学学院, 吉林长春 130061
² 吉林省油页岩与共生能源矿产重点实验室, 吉林长春 130061

通讯作者: 康嘉楠,女,1999年生,博士研究生,从事非常规油气资源、始新世气候环境与碳循环等方面的研究。E-mail: kangjn21@mails.jlu.edu.cn。
作者简介:
孟庆涛,女,1984年生,博士,教授,长期从事沉积学、石油地质学、非常规油气资源成矿(藏)理论与资源评价、中新生代气候环境与碳循环等方面的研究。E-mail: mengqt@jlu.edu.cn。
谨以此文纪念冯增昭先生100周年诞辰。
基金资助:
*吉林省自然科学基金(20230101081JC)

Abstract

Abstract:

The Eocene represents a critical interval for understanding the evolution of the global carbon cycle. During this period,Northeast China experienced significant fluctuations in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations,ranging from 454 to 1861 μmol/mol. While these variations underscore the region’s importance in carbon cycle research,current understanding of carbon cycling in terrestrial lake systems remains limited. Most studies have focused on modern lakes since the Pleistocene,leaving a notable gap in systematic research on carbon cycling in ancient lacustrine basins such as those of the Eocene. This study integrates multiple geochemical proxies with a quantitative carbon source-sink flux model to reconstruct organic carbon burial and carbon emissions in the Yilan paleo-lake basin during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum(EECO)and the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum(MECO)events. The findings reveal that the Yilan Basin exhibited peak primary productivity,organic carbon burial rates,and CO₂ emissions from fossil carbon oxidation during the EECO. Despite substantial carbon release during these events,the net carbon fixed via photosynthesis(reaching 241650 Mt during the EECO)and the resulting buried organic carbon(~4028 Mt during the EECO)significantly exceeded CO₂ emissions from fossil carbon oxidation(~1448 Mt during the EECO). Therefore,the Yilan Basin functioned as a net carbon sink in Northeast China during the EECO and MECO,serving as an important natural regulator of regional climate.

Key words: lake carbon cycle, Eocene, carbon source-sink, organic carbon burial, EECO, MECO

摘要：

始新世是理解地球碳循环演变的关键时期,中国东北地区在该时期经历了显著的大气CO₂浓度波动(454~1861 μmol/mol)。尽管这一现象凸显了该区域在碳循环研究中的重要价值,但目前对陆相湖泊系统碳循环行为的认识仍较为有限,相关研究多集中于更新世以来的现代湖泊,对始新世等深时湖泊碳循环过程的系统性探讨仍显不足。本研究综合运用多项地球化学指标,结合碳源-汇通量定量模型,恢复了始新世依兰湖盆在早始新世气候最适宜期(EECO)与中始新世气候最适宜期(MECO)2次热事件期间的有机碳埋藏量与碳排放量,系统揭示了该湖盆的碳源-汇动态及其在区域碳循环中的作用。研究结果表明,依兰湖盆在EECO时期表现出最高的生产力、有机碳埋藏速率以及化石碳氧化释放CO₂通量。尽管热事件期间存在大量碳排放,湖泊通过光合作用固定的净碳量(EECO期间达241 650 Mt)及最终埋藏的有机碳量(EECO期间约4028 Mt)显著高于化石碳氧化所产生的CO₂排放量(EECO期间约1448 Mt)。因此,依兰湖盆在东北地区始新世热事件期间的碳循环中整体表现为“净碳汇”,成为该时期区域气候调节的重要自然载体。

关键词: 湖泊碳循环, 始新世, 碳源汇, 有机碳埋藏, EECO, MECO

CLC Number:

P532
P595

MENG Qingtao, KANG Jianan, HU Fei, LI Chenxiang, HU Xinhang. Carbon source-sink dynamics and carbon flux constraints in terrestrial lake systems during the EECO and MECO of the Eocene: a case study from Yilan Basin,Northeast China[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography（Chinese Edition）, 2026, 28(4): 1230-1241.

孟庆涛, 康嘉楠, 胡菲, 李陈向, 胡新航. 始新世EECO和MECO期间陆相湖泊系统碳源-汇动态与碳通量约束: 以东北地区依兰盆地为例^*[J]. 古地理学报, 2026, 28(4): 1230-1241.

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http://www.gdlxb.cn/EN/Y2026/V28/I4/1230

Figures/Tables 5

Fig.1 Regional geological map and stratigraphic column of the Dalianhe Formation in Yilan Basin

Fig.2 Field section of the Dalianhe Formation in Yilan Basin

Fig.3 Correlation plot of f_fossil-1 and f_fossil-2 calculated from C₂₉20S/(20S+20R)and C₂₉ ββ/(αα+ββ)sterane ratios

Fig.4 Parameter columnar diagram of the Dalianhe Formation in Yilan Basin

Fig.5 Carbon cycling model of Yilan lake basin in the Eocene

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Carbon source-sink dynamics and carbon flux constraints in terrestrial lake systems during the EECO and MECO of the Eocene: a case study from Yilan Basin,Northeast China

始新世EECO和MECO期间陆相湖泊系统碳源-汇动态与碳通量约束: 以东北地区依兰盆地为例^*

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