Strong reprocessing of dissolved organic matter along South-to-North water diversion

Xiaofeng Cao; Jie Wang; Zitong Sun; Jianghao Ji; Jiangyong Chu; Yuewei Wang; Weixiao Qi; Jianfeng Peng; Huijuan Liu; Jiuhui Qu

doi:10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2025.100170

The Innovation Geoscience > 2025 Vol. 3 > No. 4 > 100170

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Strong reprocessing of dissolved organic matter along South-to-North water diversion

1.
Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
2.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
3.
Center for Ecological Civilization, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
4.
Center of Tsinghua Think Tanks, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
5.
These authors contributed equally

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Corresponding authors: xfcao@tsinghua.edu.cn (X.C.); jiewangcau@cau.edu.cn (J.W.)
Received Date: August 17, 2024

Accepted Date: November 02, 2025

Published Online: November 08, 2025

The Innovation Geoscience 3(4), https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2025.100170 | Cite this article

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PUBLIC SUMMARY
1. Canal waters accumulated more oxidized and recalcitrant DOM formulae.
  
  DOM composition and bacterial communities showed homogenization in canal waters.
  
  Microbial transformation drives canal DOM toward homogeneous and recalcitrant characteristics.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Freshwater ecosystems contain a diverse mix of dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecules, which play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Here, we discovered an absorbing pattern of DOM-microbe interactions along the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Canal in China, the largest water transfer project in the world. Using ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, we tracked the molecular composition of DOM along the canal and analyzed its relationship with planktonic bacterial communities and physicochemical conditions. More oxidized and recalcitrant DOM formulae were accumulated in the canal waters, inducing the enrichment of oligotrophic taxa. Homogenization of DOM composition and bacterial communities was observed in the canal waters. Additionally, negative interactions between DOM molecules and bacterial taxa were more abundant in the canal waters (69.5%) than those in natural waters (32.2%). These results together suggest that the semi-enclosed nature of the canal and the sustained microbial and photochemical transformations drive DOM toward more homogeneity and recalcitrance, necessitating systematic quantification of carbon emissions specific to the South-to-North Water Diversion project. Incorporating carbon reduction strategies and technologies into the design and management of the national water network is scientifically imperative.
- DOM /
- FT-ICR-MS /
- Microbial community /
- Interaction /
- South-to-North Water Diversion

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Cao X., Wang J., Sun Z., et al. (2025). Strong reprocessing of dissolved organic matter along South-to-North water diversion. The Innovation Geoscience 3:100170. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2025.100170

Cao X., Wang J., Sun Z., et al. (2025). Strong reprocessing of dissolved organic matter along South-to-North water diversion. The Innovation Geoscience 3:100170. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2025.100170

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Strong reprocessing of dissolved organic matter along South-to-North water diversion

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Strong reprocessing of dissolved organic matter along South-to-North water diversion

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