Cycling of high-molecular-weight dissolved organic matter in the Middle Atlantic Bight as revealed by carbon isotopic ({sup 13}C and {sup 14}C) signatures
- Texas A&M Univ., Galveston, TX (United States)
- Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX (United States); and others
Carbon isotopes ({sup 13}C and {sup 14}C) and elemental composition (C and N) in two fractions of colloidal organic matter (COM) were measured to study the origin and cycling of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB). COM{sub 1} (1 kDa-0.2 {mu}m) was 59% of the bulk DOM in surface Chesapeake Bay waters and decreased to 30-35% in water of the MAB. COM{sub 10} (10 kDa-0.2 {mu}m), which was the high-molecular-weight (HMW) component of COM{sub 1}, comprised 3-12% of the bulk DOM, with highest concentrations in Chesapeake Bay waters and the lowest in deep waters in the MAB. {Delta}{sup 14}C values of COM{sub 1} decreased from nearshore (-21 to +12%) to offshore and from surface (-166 to -85{per_thousand}) to bottom waters (-400 to -304{per_thousand}). Although {Delta}{sup 14}C values of surface-water HMW COM{sub 10} were generally high (-2 to -7{per_thousand}), values for bottom-water COM{sub 10} were much lower (-129 to -709{per_thousand}). The high {Delta}{sup 14}C values in the surface water suggest a particulate origin of pelagic COM, consistent with the contemporary {Delta}{sup 14}C values of particulate organic matter (POM). The very low {Delta}{sup 14}C values of bottom-water COM{sub 10} imply that in addition to the pelagic origin, sedimentary organic C may serve as an important source for the benthic colloids in the bottom nepheloid layer. The general flow direction of organic carbon is from POM to HMW and to LMW DOM. Three colloidal end-members were identified in the MAB as well as in the Gulf of Mexico: estuarine colloids with high {Delta}{sup 14}C values, high C:N ratios, and lower {delta}{sup 13}C values; offshore surface water colloids with intermediate {Delta}{sup 14}C values, lower C:N ratios, and higher {delta}{sup 13}C values; and offshore deep-water colloids with low {Delta}{sup 14}C values, intermediate C:N ratios, and variable {delta}{sup 13}C values. 40 refs., 10 figs., 3 tabs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 520407
- Journal Information:
- Limnology and Oceanography, Vol. 41, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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