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Article
Assessing Carbon and Nutrient Inputs in a Spring-fed Estuary Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Discriminatory Classification
Limnology and Oceanography
  • Ana Arellano, University of South Florida
  • Paula G. Coble, University of South Florida
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10078
Disciplines
Abstract

Environmental and chemical properties were investigated in water samples collected at sites in Kings Bay, Florida, within its springshed, and in the adjacent Crystal River, in an attempt to discover the cause of observed increases in nitrogen and nuisance filamentous algae over the past 40 yr. Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was characterized by excitation emission matrix and absorption spectroscopy. Subsequent parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) identified five recurring peaks: two terrestrial humic (C-type), two marine humic (M-type), and one protein-like component. Optical and environmental parameters used for discriminant analysis included fluorescence maximum intensity (Fmax), emission maximum (Emmax), absorption coefficient [aCDOM (λ)], spectral slope (S), PARAFAC components, total nitrogen (TN), dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved organic nitrogen, ratio of TN to Fmax (TN : F), total phosphate, and salinity. Canonical analysis of principal (CAP) coordinates indicated that 82% of the samples could be accurately categorized on the basis of their site of origin. Northern Kings Bay sites were characterized by a protein-like component associated with wastewater, as well as DIN concentrations in excess of the United States Environmental Protection Agency limit of 0.35 mg NO3 L−1. Two distinct M-type humic components were identified: partially photobleached component that was found in the brackish water and unbleached component found in meteoric groundwater. We propose that the latter can be utilized as a groundwater marker. Our results provide a model by which meteoric and subterranean estuary groundwater sources may be uncovered through the use of multiple environmental parameters combined with PARAFAC components in multivariate analyses.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Limnology and Oceanography, v. 60, issue 3, p. 789-804

Citation Information
Ana Arellano and Paula G. Coble. "Assessing Carbon and Nutrient Inputs in a Spring-fed Estuary Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Discriminatory Classification" Limnology and Oceanography Vol. 60 Iss. 3 (2015) p. 789 - 804
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/anaarellano/1/