Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

PC09 River and Margin Biogeochemistry

Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Location: Southwest Hall

Teixeira, M, J, Organic Chemistry Lab, University of South Carolina, , USA,

Pratt, M, N, Organic Chemistry Lab, University of South Carolina, , USA,

Goni, M, , University of South Carolina, , USA,

SOURCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF TERRESTRIAL ORGANIC MATTER AND ASSOCIATED ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN A SOUTH-EASTERN, RIVER-ESTUARY

Winyah Bay is a major estuarine ecosystem in the southeastern United States. The bay receives freshwater primarily from three rivers: the Pee Dee, Black, and Waccamaw Rivers. We are investigating the cycling of organic matter and its relation to PAHs in this coastal ecosystem. Bottom sediments and water samples were collected from sites in the bay and rivers. The POC and DOC concentrations were measured throughout the bay. Carbon/nitrogen ratios, d13 C, and lignin biomarkers were used to characterize the organic matter in the bottom sediments. DOC decreases from the rivers (15.6 mg/l) to the bay entrance (7.7mg/l). Total lignin phenol yields range from 2 to 10mg/100mg OC. The composition of the lignin phenols indicates the source of terrestrial material is a mix of woody and non-woody angiosperms. The concentrations and compositions of the PAHs in the sediments will be related to the concentrations and compositions of the organic matter within the estuary.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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