Work Package 1

WP1: Assessing current carbon stocks, fluxes, and drivers in lentic waters at a national level

Leaders: Fanny Colas (LEHNA) & Hélène Masclaux (CEN), Participants: 15P

WP1 aims to estimate carbon (C) stocks and emissions from lentic ecosystems in France, exploring abiotic and biotic controls on stored organic C. Research will encompass 40 sites, covering diverse land uses, climates, and water types. Data will be collected through fieldwork, lab analyses, and literature synthesis.

WP1 includes three tasks:

• T1.1: Quantifies and characterizes C in surface sediments, focusing on sources, quality, and environmental controls of organic matter (OM). Data will be gathered using sediment traps, sensors, and isotopic analyses.
• T1.2: Explores C transformation, burial, and emissions, focusing on microbial processes driving CO₂ and CH₄ production. Advanced molecular and isotopic tools will study microbial communities and their role in greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics.
• T1.3: Investigates C transfer pathways, quantifying CH₄ and CO₂ emissions and their incorporation into benthic and pelagic food webs. Seasonal sampling will assess biotic and abiotic influences on GHG dynamics and C cycling.

This work will integrate with other project components, delivering insights on the mechanisms driving C fate in lentic systems, with key deliverables including databases, publications, and tools for carbon cycle assessment.