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616792 
Journal Article 
Carbocentric limnology: looking back, looking forward 
Prairie, YT 
2008 
Yes 
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
ISSN: 0706-652X
EISSN: 1205-7533 
65 
3 
543-548 
In this perspective article, I argue that dissolved organic carbon occupies a central role in the functioning of lake ecosystems, comparable in importance to that played by nutrients. Because lakes receive so much dissolved organic carbon from the terrestrial landscape, its accumulation in water bodies usually represents the largest pool of lacustrine organic matter within the water column. The transformation of even a small fraction of this external carbon by the microbial community can alter significantly the metabolic balance of lake ecosystems, simultaneously releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and burying organic carbon in lake sediments. At the landscape level, even if they occupy a small fraction of the landscape, lakes play a surprisingly important role in the regional carbon budget, particularly when considered at the appropriate temporal scale. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Dans cet article perspective, j’avance que le carbone organique dissous joue un rôle central dans le fonctionnement des écosystèmes lacustres, comparable en importance à celui joué par les nutriments. Étant donné que les lacs reçoivent des apports tellement importants de carbone organique dissous des terres environnantes, son accumulation dans les plans d’eau représente généralement le réservoir le plus important de carbone organique lacustre de la colonne d’eau. La transformation même d’une petite fraction de ce carbone d’origine allochtone par la communauté microbienne peut altérer significativement le bilan métabolique de l’écosystème entier, libérant simultanément du dioxyde de carbone à l’atmosphère et enfouissant du carbone organique dans les sédiments lacustres. À l’échelle du paysage, même s’ils occupent une petite portion du territoire, les lacs jouent un rôle d’importance surprenante dans les bilans régionaux de carbone, particulièrement lorsqu’évalué à l’échelle de temps appropriée. (French) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences is the property of NRC Research Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) 
LIMNOLOGY; ORGANIC compounds; LAKE hydrology; BIOACCUMULATION; BODIES of water; CARBON dioxide; BIOTIC communities