A Study of the Decomposition of Reed (Phragmites australis ) as a Possible Source of Aquatic Humic Substances by Measuring the Natural Abundance of Stable Carbon Isotopes
✍ Scribed by Katalin V.-Balogh; Mátyás Présing; Lajos Vörös; Noémi Tóth
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2006
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 109 KB
- Volume
- 91
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1434-2944
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
The decomposition of leaf and steam litter of reed (P. australis) was measured both in the field and in the laboratory. The breakdown rates, the total carbon and the stable carbon isotope dynamics of reed litter were determined. The stable carbon isotope ratios of isolated humic substances (fulvic and humic acids) were also analysed. The δ^13^C value in reed remains increased from –26‰ to –24‰ for stems and from –27‰ to –26‰ for leaves. The dissolved fulvic and humic acids isolated from the experimental bottles (mean δ^13^C was –27.6‰) and the reservoir water were depleted in ^13^C (mean δ^13^C was –28.6‰) relative to the reed remains. The results show that reed litter is an important source of coloured aquatic humic substances. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)