A captivating scene unfolds as organic matter samples are collected during a breathtaking sunset at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series in the North Pacific Ocean. Credit: Rene Boiteau | University of Minnesota
The environment harbors vast amounts of carbon stored as naturally-occurring dissolved organic matter. In the ocean, this organic carbon, with an average age of thousands of years, experiences seasonal fluctuations in concentrations, suggesting varying rates of production and degradation.
The mystery behind why certain organic carbon fractions persist longer than others has puzzled scientists for years. Through innovative analytical tools developed by the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), a team of researchers from multiple institutions has identified distinct components of dissolved organic matter (DOM) with unique molecular compositions that dictate their longevity.
This groundbreaking study has been published in Environmental Science & Technology.
The surface ocean plays a crucial role in absorbing approximately one-third of the carbon dioxide generated from fossil fuel combustion, transferring much of this carbon into the ocean’s depths as particulate and dissolved organic carbon. Yet, the mechanisms governing this process remain poorly understood.
The research illuminates the origins and destiny of organic carbon by pinpointing different components that undergo cycling at varying rates. This knowledge is essential for making precise forecasts about future changes in carbon sequestration.
Dissolved organic matter comprises a complex blend of small molecules that resist rapid biological breakdown. Fluctuations in DOM abundance across different locations and times indicate the presence of fractions that are removed from the ocean over diverse timescales, ranging from seconds to millennia. However, the link between the intrinsic chemical properties of these organic components and their persistence remains a mystery.
2024-08-16 19:15:03
Source from phys.org