Collaborative Research: Biogeochemistry of Dissolved Organic Matter in Pony Lake, Ross Island

溶解性有机物（DOM）是水体中重要的化学成分，它是微生物的重要碳源，能吸收太阳光中的有害辐射，能与金属络合，并能参与重要的生态地球化学反应。本研究将探讨DOM的生态地球化学循环在一个小的沿海南极池塘，小马湖，位于罗伊兹角，罗斯岛。由于没有高等植物存在于这个网站，所有的DOM在这个湖是来自微生物。因此，小马湖是一个理想的网站，以研究物理，化学和微生物过程对DOM池的组成和特征的影响。最后，小马湖也是收集国际腐殖物质协会（IHSS）富里酸标准品的理想场所。与其他IHSS标准不同，本标准将不包含源自高地植物的DOM成分。为了更好地了解物理影响的作用，该项目将研究DOM池的变化，因为湖泊在夏季从冰覆盖到无冰条件的演变，以及DOM与观察到的湖泊中占主导地位的微生物群落的周转的关系。科学家们还将监测在冰向开放水域过渡期间可能发生的微生物丰度、多样性和生产力的变化。本研究将为微生物多样性与DOM生态地球化学之间的关系提供急需的信息。中学理科学生将通过互联网积极参与这一项目，而科学家则在实地和实验室。

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a significant chemical component in aquatic systems because it acts as an important carbon source for microorganisms, absorbs harmful radiation in sunlight, is able to complex metals, and can participate in important biogeochemical reactions. This study will investigate the biogeochemical cycling of DOM in a small coastal Antarctic pond, Pony Lake, located on Cape Royds, Ross Island. Because there are no higher plants present at this site all of the DOM in this lake is derived from microorganisms. Thus, Pony Lake is an ideal site to study the effect of physical, chemical, and microbial processes on the composition and character of the DOM pool. Finally, Pony Lake is also an ideal site to collect an International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) fulvic acid standard. Unlike other IHSS standards, this standard will not contain DOM components derived from higher land plants. To better understand the role of physical influences, the project will study the changes in the DOM pool as the lake evolves from ice-covered to ice-free conditions during the summer, as well as the relationship of DOM to the observed turnover of dominant microbial communities in the lake. Scientists will also monitor changes in microbial abundance, diversity, and productivity that may occur during the ice to open-water transition period. This research will provide much needed information regarding the relationship between microbial diversity and DOM biogeochemistry. Middle school science students will be active participants in this project through the Internet, while scientists are in the field, and in the lab.