Relating the Optical Properties of CDOM within the Ocean Basins to Source and Structure

显色性溶解有机物（CDOM）是海洋中由有机物降解产生的光学测量物质。虽然在过去的几十年里，CDOM在海洋水域的光学性质和生物地球化学中的重要性已经得到了很好的确立，但海洋盆地中这种物质的来源和结构仍然不清楚。一些研究表明，CDOM主要是在海洋材料的化学或生物处理过程中就地产生的，而另一些研究则提供证据表明，CDOM主要是陆地物质的残余物，在进入海洋和在海洋内部的过程中被稀释和修饰。在这项研究中，马里兰大学环境研究中心的研究人员将利用全光谱吸收和发射特性，结合北太平洋样品的化学和质谱测试，确定CDOM的来源和结构。这些结果将与以前从特拉华湾、大西洋中部湾和赤道大西洋获得的或将要获得的结果进行比较。通过采用这种多方面的方法，研究人员将大大提高我们对CDOM的认识。更广泛的影响：该项目将为研究生和本科生的培训提供支持，其成果将通过同行评议的研究出版物和在全国会议上的演讲得到广泛传播，这些会议将强调学生主导的演讲。

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is optically measured material in the oceans resulting from the degradation of organic matter. While the importance of CDOM in the optical properties and biogeochemistry of marine waters has been well established over the last several decades, the source and structure of this material within the ocean basins remains unclear. Some studies indicate that CDOM is produced primarily in situ from either the chemical or biological processing of marine materials, while others have provided evidence that CDOM is primarily a remnant of terrestrial matter that has been diluted and modified during transit to and within the oceans. In this study, researchers from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies will use complete spectral absorption and emission properties combined with chemical and mass spectral tests on samples from the North Pacific Ocean to determine the source and structure of CDOM. The results will be compared with those previously acquired, or to be acquired, from the Delaware Bay, the Middle Atlantic Bight, and the Equatorial Atlantic. By employing this multifaceted approach, the researchers will significantly advance our knowledge of CDOM.Broader Impacts: This project will provide support for graduate and undergraduate student training, and results will be broadly disseminated through peer-reviewed research publications and presentations at national meetings, where student-led presentations will be emphasized.