Characterization of wetland soil organic matter

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Abstract

Wetland soil organic matter (wSOM) is a complex heterogeneous and polydisperse mixture that poses a number of analytical challenges. Despite these challenges, the analytical characterization of wSOM as well as other natural organic matters (NOM) has been advancing at a rapid pace. In essence, this chapter is a “practical guide” review of the more commonly used techniques for the characterization of wSOM. When combined, these techniques can provide both quantitative and qualitative information all the way down to the molecular level. The initial part of this chapter deals with methods of isolating wSOM to forms amenable to advanced analytical characterization. The chapter then separately discusses spectroscopic and chemical methods of analysis of wSOM. The spectroscopic methods discussed are: ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance (both liquid and solid, with a focus on 13C), and mass spectroscopy (both liquid and solid). The methods of chemical analysis address elemental composition (with a focus on C and N) and molecular biomarkers. The biomarker analysis covers: lipids, fatty acids, sterols, cutins and suberins, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, and lignin. As a general rule, the more quantitative the method is, the less qualitative it is, and vice versa, with regard to NOMs, including wSOM.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Methods in Biogeochemistry of Wetlands

First Page

289

Last Page

316

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