LAUSR

A dissolved carbon (DC) data set, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), from 224 lakes (513 stations) and 141 large reservoirs (337 stations) across China is presented in this study. In addition to DC, the data set also includes results for electrical conductivity (EC), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a and transparency. The impact of trophic status and EC gradient on DC concentration in water bodies are discussed. Results from our investigation indicate that DC in saline (EC > 1000 μS cm −1 ) water bodies (mean ± S.D, 297.13 ± 356.14 mg L −1 , n = 186) are much higher than those in fresh water bodies (79.55 ± 199.34 mg L −1 , n = 669). Similarly, eutrophic water bodies (n = 552) exhibited higher DC concentrations than mesotrophic (n = 215) and oligotrophic water bodies (n = 85); DC in lakes (158.445 ± 286.52 mg L −1 , n = 513) was significantly higher than DC in reservoirs (37.83 ± 37.53 mg L −1 , n = 337). All data used in this investigation is accessible online. Measurement(s) dissolved carbon atom in water • electrical conductivity • phosphorus atom • chlorophyll a • water transparency Technology Type(s) field survey • conductivity meter • continuous flow analyzer • spectrophotometer • Secchi disk depth Factor Type(s) type of water body Sample Characteristic - Environment saline water body • fresh water body • eutrophic lake • mesotrophic lake • oligotrophic lake • reservoir Sample Characteristic - Location China Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.11890596