Controls on Terrigenous Organic Carbon Inputs to the Gulf of Mexico over Glacial/Interglacial Scales

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P.I.: Goni Proposal Number: 97-01940 Institution: University of South Carolina Title: CAREER: Non-point sources of dissolved organic matter to the ocean: groundwaters from coastal soils and sediments It is well established that rivers are an important source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to the coastal ocean. However, recent studies have shown that groundwater inputs might contribute a significant amount of terrigenous DOM to the coastal ocean in areas such as the southeastern U.S. The primary research objective of this proposal is to understand how the diffused flow of groundwater constituents affects the dynamics of carbon, nitrogen and other nutrients in coastal environments. The research efforts are designed to answer three specific questions: 1) What are the sources and characteristics of groundwater DOM?; 2) What are the seasonal dynamics of groundwater DOM production and transport? and 3) What are the impacts of groundwater DOM on the coastal ocean? Another important goal of the proposal is to link the research objectives outlined above with the education of students at different stages of their careers. This proposal makes students key participants of the investigations designed to understand the role of groundwater in DOM cycling. The vehicles for such participation include new field summer courses at the Baruch Laboratories in North Inlet (SC) and new laboratory-based graduate and non-major undergraduate courses.