Relationships between DOC concentration, molecular size and fluorescence properties of DOM in a stream

Abstract

The patterns of dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescence properties were examined in a Precambrian shield stream over a seven-month field study. Unique spatial and temporal patterns of simultaneous changes were observed in dissolved organic carbon concentration (DOC), humic-like fluorescence intensity, maximum excitation and emission wavelengths and fluorescence index (the ratio of the emission intensity at a wavelength of 450 nm to that at 500 nm at an excitation wavelength of 370 nm). The spatial change indicates the alteration of DOM along the length of the stream, and temporal change corresponded to a drought event in August. In contrast to humic-like fluorescence, the protein-like fluorescence shows considerable variability, suggesting its ephemeral nature. There were strong relationships between humic-like fluorescence intensity, fluorescence index, maximum Ex/Em wavelengths, DOC concentration and molecular size of DOM. This study has significant implications to the understanding of the nature and biogeochemical cycling of DOM.