Abundance, Distribution Patterns, and the Contribution of Transparent Exopolymer Particles and Dissolved Acidic Polysaccharides to Organic Carbon in Lake Taihu, China

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are essential for the carbon cycle in aquatic environments. However, distribution of TEP, its precursor, and contribution to organic pool large freshwater lake remain inadequately understood. Here, we focused on spatial TEP dissolved acidic polysaccharides (dAPS) four typical seasons Lake Taihu, third-largest China. concentrations Taihu ranged from 0.05 5.19 mg Xeq/L, with a mean value 1.31 ± 1.08 Xeq/L. The concentration dAPS averaged 3.7 2.19 Xeq/L (range, 0.19–13.12 Xeq/L). Higher content was found summer, their distributions appeared be influenced by cyanobacterial blooms, as they showed significant correlations chlorophyll-a summer. In addition, accounted an average 24.3% particulate carbon, represented 25.9% carbon. These results provide valuable insights into pools inland waters highlight role cycling lakes.