FT-ICR-MS analysis of carbon exported and produced in New York tidal wetlands
EMSL Project ID
49728
Abstract
Understanding the characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exported from wetlands will allow us to predict the impact of this carbon release on downstream environments. Exported DOC to downstream, aerobic ecosystems is subject to UV degradation and more efficient microbial breakdown. We aim to use multiple analyses to determine the bioavailability of DOC exported from New York tidal wetlands dominated by different vegetation species. Pore water analysis within sites dominated by various types of dominant vegetation has shown significant differences in DOC quality. Previous samples ran at EMSL showed that the DOC component within the pore water of a site dominated by Phragmites austraulis was more bioavailable then DOC from sites dominated by native species (Spartina patens, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Eleocharis parvula). Samples will be taken from creeks draining wetlands dominated by either native or non-native plants. FT-ICR-MS analysis will allow us to identify the quality of bioavailable DOC produced in and released from these wetlands to better understand how changes in vegetation dynamics may alter the carbon pools within these ecosystems and in downstream environments. In addition, optical analyses, microbial counts, NMR measurements will be made to compliment analyses done at the EMSL facility. These results will increase our understanding of how human impact may alter the sources of carbon within an ecosystem and how efficiently this carbon is exported to adjacent ecosystems where it is more susceptible to remineralization. Project Details
Project type
Limited Scope
Start Date
2017-05-01
End Date
2017-07-01
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator