Millennial-aged peat carbon outgassed by large humic lakes in the Congo Basin

Nature Geoscience 2026 Open access

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Authors: Travis W. Drake, Jordon Hemingway, Matti Barthel, Antoine de Clippele, Negar Haghipour, Jose N. Wabakanghanzi, K. Van Oost, Six Johan
DOI: 10.1038/s41561-026-01924-3
Cited by: 4
References: 30

Abstract

Abstract Congo Basin lakes Mai Ndombe and Tumba are major CO 2 sources. Here we show that their dissolved inorganic carbon is some 2,170–3,515 14 C years old and partially (39–40%) originates from the surrounding peatlands. This implies a loss pathway for peat carbon, in which microbes respire old carbon within the peat and the resulting CO 2 is transported to the lakes and outgassed, linking these immense ancient stores to the modern carbon cycle.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology Marine and coastal ecosystems Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Geoscience
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
19
Issue
4
Pages
415–418
Publication date
23 February 2026
Language
EN