Origin-specific molecular signatures of dissolved organic matter in the Lena Delta


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Boris.Koch [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Large Arctic rivers discharge significant amounts of dissolved organic matter (DOM) into the Arctic Ocean. We sampled natural waters of the Lena River, the Buor-Khaya Bay (Laptev Sea), permafrost melt water creeks, ice complex melt water creeks and a lake. The goal of this study was to characterize the molecular DOM composition with respect to different water bodies within the Lena Delta. We aimed at an identification of source-specific DOM molecular markers and their relative contribution to DOM of different origin. The molecular characterization was performed for solid-phase extracted DOM by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Average dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the original samples were 490 ± 75 lmol C L-1 for riverine and bay samples and 399 ± 115 lmol C L-1 for permafrost melt water creeks. Average TDN concentrations were elevated in the permafrost melt waters (19.7 ± 7.1 lmol N L-1) in comparison to the river and the bay (both 13.2 ± 2.6 lmol N L-1). FT-ICR MS and statistical tools demonstrated that the origin of DOM in the Lena Delta was systematically reflected in its molecular composition. Magnitude weighted parameters calculated from MS data (O/Cwa, H/Cwa, C/Nwa) highlighted preliminary sample discrimination. The highest H/Cwa of 1.315 was found for DOM in melt water creeks in comparison to 1.281 for river and 1.230 for the bay samples. In the bay samples we observed a higher fraction of oxygen-rich components which was reflected in an O/Cwa ratio of 0.445 in comparison to 0.425 and 0.427 in the river and creeks, respectively. From the southernmost location to the bay a relative depletion of nitrogenous molecular markers and an enrichment of oxidized DOM components occurred. The highest contribution of nitrogenous components was indicative for creeks reflected in a C/Nwa of 104 in comparison to 143 and 176 in the river and bay, respectively. These observations were studied on a molecular formula level using principal component and indicator value analyses. The results showed systematic differences with respect to water origin and constitute an important basis for a better mechanistic understanding of DOM transformations in the changing Arctic rivers.



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Eprint ID
37546
DOI 10.1007/s10533-014-0049-0

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Dubinenkov, I. , Flerus, R. , Schmitt-Kopplin, P. , Kattner, G. and Koch, B. (2015): Origin-specific molecular signatures of dissolved organic matter in the Lena Delta , Biogeochemistry, 123 , pp. 1-14 . doi: 10.1007/s10533-014-0049-0


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