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Identification and analysis of low-molecular-weight dissolved organic carbon in subglacial basal ice ecosystems by ion chromatography

O'Donnell, Emily C.; Wadham, Jemma L.; Lis, Grzegorz P.; Tranter, Martyn; Pickard, Amy E.; Stibal, Marek; Dewsbury, Paul; Fitzsimons, Sean

Identification and analysis of low-molecular-weight dissolved organic carbon in subglacial basal ice ecosystems by ion chromatography Thumbnail


Authors

Jemma L. Wadham

Grzegorz P. Lis

Martyn Tranter

Amy E. Pickard

Marek Stibal

Paul Dewsbury

Sean Fitzsimons



Abstract

Determining the concentration and composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in glacial ecosystems is important for assessments of in situ microbial activity and contributions to wider biogeochemical cycles. Nonetheless, there is limited knowledge of the abundance and character of DOC in basal ice and the subglacial environment and a lack of quantitative data on low-molecular-weight (LMW) DOC components, which are believed to be highly bioavailable to microorganisms. We investigated the abundance and composition of DOC in basal ice via a molecular-level DOC analysis. Spectrofluorometry and a novel ion chromatographic method, which has been little utilized in glacial science for LMW-DOC determinations, were employed to identify and quantify the major LMW fractions (free amino acids, carbohydrates, and carboxylic acids) in basal ice from four glaciers, each with a different type of overridden material (i.e. the pre-entrainment sedimentary type such as lacustrine material or palaeosols). Basal ice from Joyce Glacier (Antarctica) was unique in that 98% of the LMW-DOC was derived from the extremely diverse free amino acid (FAA) pool, comprising 14 FAAs. LMW-DOC concentrations in basal ice were dependent on the bioavailability of the overridden organic carbon (OC), which in turn was influenced by the type of overridden material. Mean LMW-DOC concentrations in basal ice from Russell Glacier (Greenland), Finsterwalderbreen (Svalbard), and Engabreen (Norway) were low (0–417nMC), attributed to the relatively refractory nature of the OC in the overridden palaeosols and bedrock. In contrast, mean LMW-DOC concentrations were an order of magnitude higher (4430nMC) in basal ice from Joyce Glacier, a reflection of the high bioavailability of the overridden lacustrine material (> 17% of the sediment OC comprised extractable carbohydrates, a proxy for bioavailable OC). We find that the overridden material may act as a direct (via abiotic leaching) and indirect (via microbial cycling) source of DOC to the subglacial environment and provides a range of LMW-DOC compounds that may stimulate microbial activity in wet subglacial sediments.

Citation

O'Donnell, E. C., Wadham, J. L., Lis, G. P., Tranter, M., Pickard, A. E., Stibal, M., Dewsbury, P., & Fitzsimons, S. (2016). Identification and analysis of low-molecular-weight dissolved organic carbon in subglacial basal ice ecosystems by ion chromatography. Biogeosciences, 13, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-3833-2016

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 13, 2016
Publication Date Jul 1, 2016
Deposit Date Jul 20, 2016
Publicly Available Date Jul 20, 2016
Journal Biogeosciences
Print ISSN 1726-4170
Electronic ISSN 1726-4189
Publisher European Geosciences Union
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 13
DOI https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-3833-2016
Keywords Glacier, Dissolved organic carbon, Greenland, Ion chromatography, Basal ice ecosystems
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/792293
Publisher URL http://www.biogeosciences.net/13/3833/2016/
Contract Date Jul 20, 2016

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