title: Occurrence and distribution of monomethylalkanes in the freshwater wetland ecosystem of the Florida Everglades.
abstract: A series of mono-methylalkanes (MMAs) with carbon numbers from C10 to C23 and C29 were detected in freshwater wetlands of the Everglades. A decrease in concentration and molecular complexity was observed in the order from periphyton and floc, to surface soil and deeper soil horizons. These compounds were present in varying amounts up to 27 μg gdw(-1) in periphyton, 74 μg gdw(-1) in floc, 1.8 μg gdw(-1) in surface soil, <0.03 μg gdw(-1) in deeper soils (12-15 cm). A total of 46 MMAs, including three iso and three anteiso-alkanes, were identified. Compound specific carbon isotopes values were determined for some dominant MMAs, and suggest that they originate from microbial sources, including cyanobacteria. Potential decarboxylation from fatty acids could also potentially contribute to the MMAs detected. Early diagenetic degradation was suggested to affect the accumulation of MMAs in soils and further studies are needed to address their applications as biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Marine Science Program, 3000 NE 151 Street, MSB 250C, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA. Electronic address: dhe001@fiu.edu.
authors.forename: Ding
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
authors.forename: Bernd R T
authors.initials: BRT
authors.lastname: Simoneit
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Marine Science Program, 3000 NE 151 Street, MSB 250C, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jara
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Marine Science Program, 3000 NE 151 Street, MSB 250C, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaffé
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005431:Florida; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Carbon isotope; Floc; Mass spectra; Mono-methylalkanes; Periphyton