Advanced Molecular Techniques Provide New Rigorous Tools for Characterizing Organic Matter Quality in Complex Systems. Issue 6 (16th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, Rachel M.; Tfaily, Malak M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 123:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1790
• Page End: 1795
• Publication Date: 2018-06-16
• Subjects: dissolved organic matter -- humics -- optical measurements -- FTICRMS -- OM quality; Geobiology -- Periodicals; Biogeochemistry -- Periodicals; Biotic communities -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 577.14
• DOI: 10.1029/2018JG004525
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-8953

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon flux rates are widely understood to be substrate controlled; however, characterizing substrate quality continues to be a challenge. We suggest that, while optical measurements have their place, they are not the only, or the best, tool for characterizing organic matter quality . Nominal oxidation state of the carbon provides a thermodynamically relevant measure, which could be used as a metric of organic matter quality. Calculating nominal oxidation state of the carbon requires a suite of advanced complementary analysis but is then trivial to calculate from the resulting data sets. Key Points: While C emission rates are widely understood to be substrate controlled, characterizing organic matter quality remains a challenge Optical measurements are widely used, but they may not be the best tool for assessing organic matter quality NOSC provides a thermodynamically relevant measure, which could be used as a more rigorous metric of organic matter quality