Project Overview
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a significant chemical
component in aquatic systems because it acts as an important carbon source
for microorganisms, absorbs harmful radiation in sunlight, is able to
complex metals, and can participate in important biogeochemical redox
reactions. We are studying the biogeochemical cycling of DOM in a small
coastal Antarctic pond, Pony Lake, located on Cape Royds, Ross Island.
Because there are no higher plants present at this site all of the DOM in
this lake is microbially derived from photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and
mixotrophic organisms. Thus, Pony Lake is an ideal site to study the effect
of photolysis, redox changes, and microbial processes on the composition and
character of the DOM pool. Finally, Pony Lake’s abundant levels of DOM
(50-100 mg/L as C) and proximity to the laboratory resources at McMurdo
Station, makes it an ideal site to collect an International Humic Substances
Society (IHSS) fulvic acid standard. Unlike other IHSS standards, this
standard will not contain DOM components derived from higher land plants. |
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