Linking optical and chemical properties of dissolved organic matter in natural waters

211.3K

views

85

authors

19

articles

Linking optical and chemical properties of dissolved organic matter in natural waters

211.3K

views

85

authors

19

articles

Editorial

16 November 2016

Editorial: Linking Optical and Chemical Properties of Dissolved Organic Matter in Natural Waters

Christopher L. Osburn

and

Thomas S. Bianchi

3,658 views

19 citations

Editors

2

Christopher Osburn

North Carolina State University

Thomas S Bianchi

University of Florida

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A substantial increase in the number of studies using the optical properties (absorbance and fluorescence) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as a proxy for its chemical properties in estuaries and the coastal and open ocean has occurred during the last decade. We are making progress on finding the actual chemical compounds or phenomena responsible for DOM’s optical properties. Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, in particular, has made important progress in making the key connections between optics and chemistry. But serious questions remain and the last major special issue on DOM optics and chemistry occurred nearly 10 years ago. Controversies remain from the non-specific optical properties of DOM that are not linked to discrete sources, and sometimes provide conflicting information. The use of optics, which is relatively easier to employ in synoptic and high resolution sampling to determine chemistry, is a critical connection to make and can lead to major advances in our understanding of organic matter cycling in all aquatic ecosystems. The contentions and controversies raised by our poor understanding of the linkages between optics and chemistry of DOM are bottlenecks that need to be addressed and overcome.

A substantial increase in the number of studies using the optical properties (absorbance and fluorescence) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as a proxy for its chemical properties in estuaries and the coastal and open ocean has occurred during the last decade. We are making progress on finding the actual chemical compounds or phenomena responsible for DOM’s optical properties. Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, in particular, has made important progress in making the key connections between optics and chemistry. But serious questions remain and the last major special issue on DOM optics and chemistry occurred nearly 10 years ago. Controversies remain from the non-specific optical properties of DOM that are not linked to discrete sources, and sometimes provide conflicting information. The use of optics, which is relatively easier to employ in synoptic and high resolution sampling to determine chemistry, is a critical connection to make and can lead to major advances in our understanding of organic matter cycling in all aquatic ecosystems. The contentions and controversies raised by our poor understanding of the linkages between optics and chemistry of DOM are bottlenecks that need to be addressed and overcome.

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Editors

Christopher Osburn

North Carolina State University

Thomas S Bianchi

University of Florida

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173,263 Article views

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Frontiers in Marine Science

Marine Biogeochemistry

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Frontiers in Chemistry

Marine Biogeochemistry

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Frontiers in Earth Science

Marine Biogeochemistry

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