Effects of total suspended solids on photomineralization of dissolved organic matter in the Peace-Athabasca Delta, Canada

JGR Biogeosciences
By: , and 

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Abstract

Northern deltas receive chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) from their watersheds, which can be oxidized to carbon dioxide upon absorption of sunlight (i.e., photomineralized). These deltas also receive total suspended solids (TSS), which may shade sunlight absorption by CDOM, thus limiting photomineralization. To quantify this interaction for the first time, we measured photomineralization rates at 11sites in the Peace‐Athabasca Delta (PAD), Canada. We sampled waters during a July 2022 field campaign for TSS concentration, CDOM concentration (αCDOM,λ), total downwelling sunlight attenuation coefficients (Kd,tot,λ), and light attenuation coefficients due to CDOM (Kd,CDOM,λ). TSS ranged from <1 to 112 mg/L with an average of 19 ± 34 mg/L (mean ± one standard deviation), an order of magnitude lower than TSS reported in rivers entering the PAD earlier in the open water season. αCDOM,λ at 305 nm (αCDOM,305) ranged from 23.3 to 65.2 m-1, Kd,CDOM,305 ranged from 26.3 to 74.1 m−1, and Kd,tot,305 ranged from 19.0 to 63.7 m−1.  The ratio of sunlight absorbed by CDOM relative to total sunlight attenuation Kd,CDOM,λ/Kd,tot,λ was inversely correlated with TSS concentration across all wavelengths measured (305–412 nm). TSS thus limited photomineralization rates by shading CDOM from ultraviolet A and visible wavelengths of sunlight, reducing photomineralization rates by up to 56% compared to rates in the absence of TSS or other non-CDOM particles that attenuate sunlight. Results suggest that shifts in delta hydrology that affect TSS concentration likely influence photomineralization rates within TSS-rich northern deltas.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Effects of total suspended solids on photomineralization of dissolved organic matter in the Peace-Athabasca Delta, Canada
Series title JGR Biogeosciences
DOI 10.1029/2024JG008620
Volume 130
Issue 6
Publication Date June 23, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Description e2024JG008620, 23 p.
Country Canada
Other Geospatial Peace‐Athabasca Delta
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