title: Biodegradability of algal-derived organic matter in a large artificial lake by using stable isotope tracers.
abstract: In order to understand the biodegradability of algal-derived organic matter, biodegradation experiments were conducted with (13)C and (15)N-labeled natural phytoplankton and periphytic algal populations in experimental conditions for 60 days. Qualitative changes in the dissolved organic matter were also determined using parallel factor analysis and the stable carbon isotopic composition of the hydrophobic dissolved organic matter through the experimental period. Although algal-derived organic matter is considered to be easily biodegradable, the initial amounts of total organic carbon newly produced by phytoplankton and periphytic algae remained approximately 16 and 44 % after 60 days, respectively, and about 22 and 43 % of newly produced particulate nitrogen remained. Further, the dissolved organic carbon derived from both algal populations increased significantly after 60 days. Although the dissolved organic matter gradually became refractory, the contributions of the algal-derived organic matter to the dissolved organic matter and hydrophobic dissolved organic matter increased. Our laboratory experimental results suggest that algal-derived organic matter produced by phytoplankton and periphytic algae could contribute significantly to the non-biodegradable organic matter through microbial transformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 15588, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeonjung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bomi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.affiliation: Division of Polar Ocean Environment Research, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun-Oh
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Division of Polar Ocean Environment Research, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Marine Environment and Conservation Research Division, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Ansan, 15627, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kongtae
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ra
authors.affiliation: Marine Environment and Conservation Research Division, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Ansan, 15627, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 15588, Republic of Korea. shinkh@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Kyung-Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Biodegradability; Non-biodegradable organic matter; PARAFAC; Periphytic algae; Phytoplankton; Stable isotope labeling