Characterizing the Molecular Structure and Reactivity of Natural Organic Matter in The Everglades

Authors

Wenxi HuangFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Chemistry

First Advisor's Name

Rudolf Jaffé

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Yong Cai

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

John Landrum

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

DOM, Everglades, GC/MS, ‘protein-like’ fluorescence, reactive species, radical scavenging ability

Date of Defense

4-27-2016

Abstract

Mangroves are the dominant vegetation in Everglades estuarine environment and are known to contain polyphenols such as tannins, which present similar fluorescence properties as some amino acid fluorophores. In the present study, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to quantify gallic acid, which is a normal monomer of polyphenols. The quantitative GC/MS analytical method was developed using gallic acid and tannic acid standards to quantify the false ‘protein-like’ fluorescence in DOM. The present study also compared the optical properties, reactive species (RS) production and radical scavenging ability of DOM from different regions of the Everglades and a correlation was observed between DOM composition and its photo-productivity. In general, the reactive species quantum yield decreased with increased DOM redox potential. The RS formation rates were controlled by the DOC and CDOM abundace. Normalized RS formation rates were shown to be influenced by DOM aromaticity and molecular weight characteristics

Identifier

FIDC000689

Recommended Citation

Huang, Wenxi, "Characterizing the Molecular Structure and Reactivity of Natural Organic Matter in The Everglades" (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2636.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2636