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

218.1K

views

85

authors

19

articles

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

218.1K

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

3,723 views

19 citations

Editors

2

Christopher Osburn

North Carolina State University

Thomas S Bianchi

University of Florida

Impact

About

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.

Download ebook

Share

Editors

Christopher Osburn

North Carolina State University

Thomas S Bianchi

University of Florida

Impact

218,062 Total views

178,353 Article views

33,005 Article downloads

6,704 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Marine Science

Marine Biogeochemistry

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Chemistry

Marine Biogeochemistry

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Earth Science

Marine Biogeochemistry

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic