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Biogeochemistry of organic matter and associated elements along the river-estuary-ocean continuum
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Export of Terrestrially-derived Organic Matter from Rivers to the Oceans as determined by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry and NMR (Invited) Tuesday 8th @ 1330-1350, Conference Hall Patrick G. Hatcher* , Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University Hongmei Chen, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University Presenter Email: phatcher@odu.edu |
Terrestrial organic matter existing as either dissolved (DOM) or particulate (POM) is traditionally considered to be attenuated greatly in its export to the oceans. Much of this dogmatic belief is grounded in stable carbon isotopic distributions and lignin phenol biomarkers along seaward transects. In some recent studies of DOM and POM from some major rivers by the combined analytical approaches involving ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, this dogmatic view has been challenged. The data show that it is possible for terrestrial DOM and POM to significantly contribute to oceanic sediments and waters. One plausible pathway for lignin-rich terrestrial material to contribute significantly to oceanic DOM and POM is via photochemical rearrangement of its structural motif such that it loses its biomarker characteristics and its isotopic signature. Accordingly, it is important that we re-examine the possible terrestrial carbon contribution to oceanic carbon reservoirs. |
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