Molecular characterization of dissolved organic matter in freshwater wetlands of the Florida Everglades

Authors

X. Q. Lu, Southeast Environmental Research Center, and Department of Chemistry, Florida International University
N. Maie, Southeast Environmental Research Center, and Department of Chemistry, Florida International UniversityFollow
J. V. Hanna, ANSTO NMR Facility, Materials Division, Lucas Heights Research Laboratories
D. L. Childers, Southeast Environmental Research Center and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International UniversityFollow
Rudolf Jaffe´, Southeast Environmental Research Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International UniversityFollow

Abstract

In this study, the molecular composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM), collected from wetlands of the Southern Everglades, was examined using a variety of analytical techniques in order to characterize its sources and transformation in the environment. The methods applied for the characterization of DOM included fluorescence spectroscopy, solid state ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS. The relative abundance of protein-like components and carbohydrates increased from the canal site to more remote freshwater marsh sites suggesting that significant amounts of non-humic DOM are autochthonously produced within the freshwater marshes, and are not exclusively introduced through canal inputs. Such in situ DOM production is important when considering how DOM from canals is processed and transported to downstream estuaries of Florida Bay.

Comments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DBI-0620409 and #DEB-9910514. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Recommended Citation

Lu, X.Q., N. Maie, J.V. Hanna, D.L. Childers, R. Jaffe. 2003. Molecular characterization of dissolved organic matter in freshwater wetlands of the Florida Everglades. Water Research 37(11): 2599-2606.