Characterization,Sources,and Transformations of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE)

Authors

Meilian Chen, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Major/Program

Chemistry

First Advisor's Name

Rudolf Jaffe

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Yong Cai

Third Advisor's Name

Joseph Boyer

Fourth Advisor's Name

David Chatfield

Fifth Advisor's Name

Kenneth Furton

Keywords

dissolved organic matter, sources, transformations, photo-degradation, bio-degradation, groundwater, seasonality, size distribution, Everglades

Date of Defense

4-1-2011

Abstract

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the largest carbon reservoirs on this planet and is present in aquatic environments as a highly complex mixture of organic compounds. The Florida coastal Everglades (FCE) is one of the largest wetlands in the world. DOM in this system is an important biogeochemical component as most of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) are in organic forms. Achieving a better understanding of DOM dynamics in large coastal wetlands is critical, and a particularly important issue in the context of Everglades restoration.

In this work, the environmental dynamics of surface water DOM on spatial and temporal scales was investigated. In addition, photo- and bio-reactivity of this DOM was determined, surface-to-groundwater exchange of DOM was investigated, and the size distribution of freshwater DOM in Everglades was assessed. The data show that DOM dynamics in this ecosystem are controlled by both hydrological and ecological drivers and are clearly different on spatial scales and variable seasonally. The DOM reactivity data, modeled with a multi-pool first order degradation kinetics model, found that fluorescent DOM in FCE is generally photo-reactive and bio-refractory. Yet the sequential degradation proved a “priming effect” of sunlight on the bacterial uptake and reworking of this subtropical wetland DOM. Interestingly, specific PARAFAC components were found to have different photo- and bio-degradation rates, suggesting a highly heterogeneous nature of fluorophores associated with the DOM. Surface-to-groundwater exchange of DOM was observed in different regions of the system, and compositional differences were associated with source and photo-reactivity. Lastly, the high degree of heterogeneity of DOM associated fluorophores suggested based on the degradation studies was confirmed through the EEM-PARAFAC analysis of DOM along a molecular size continuum, suggesting that the fluorescence characteristics of DOM are highly controlled by different size fractions and as such can exhibit significant differences in reactivity.

Identifier

FI11050605

Recommended Citation

Chen, Meilian, "Characterization,Sources,and Transformations of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE)" (2011). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 390.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/390