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Characterization of dissolved organic matter in cave and spring waters using UV–Vis
absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy
Justin E. Birdwella,*, Audrey Tourretteb
aCain Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
bInstitute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
ABSTRACT
A condensed version of the entire paper; summarizes the four essential aspects of the paper, namely, purpose of the
experiment, results (% yield, % purity, etc.), significance of the study, and major conclusions. It should give one an idea of
the scope of the study. It includes a very brief summary of the major steps/techniques used in the experiment. Do not
include too much background information. No detailed procedures and sources of errors. Typically, 100-200 words.
Sample:
Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was examined using fluorescence and absorbance spectra from sulfidic cave
and thermal and non-thermal surface-discharging spring waters. Many of the sites have a limited allochthonous supply of
organic matter (OM) and contain ecosystems that are dependent on chemolithoautotrophic microbial communities. Water-
extracted OM from microbial mats at the sites had fluorescence signatures consistent with the fluorescent amino acids. Based
on fluorescence-derived indices and absorbance spectral characteristics, the origin of the cave and spring CDOM appeared to be
from microbially-derived material, and the degree of OM humification was low. Little of the CDOM pool was represented by
terrestrial humic fluorescence signatures, which are typically observed in surface waters, as well as soil and sediment
porewaters. Comparison of the cave and spring waters with a wide array of reference humic substances and OM from other
environments showed a continuum of spectral properties constrained by origin and degree of humification.
1. Introduction
Summarizes the procedure performed in the
Provides pertinent background information about experiment in paragraph form (do not include parts that
the study. Acquaints readers with the experiment. were not done). Past tense, passive voice. Do not include
Should end with the objective(s) of the experiment. diagram or procedural steps in preparing set-ups – put
It’s NOT just another version of the “INTRODUCTION” set-up figures in appendices and label properly all
found in the manual. the parts
Sample: Sample:
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been intensely 2.1. Synthesis
investigated in water systems around the world because
of the significant roles this ubiquitous material plays in All fluorescence measurements were made using a
various biogeochemical and ecological processes SPEX Fluorolog- 3 spectrofluorometer (Jobin Yvon,
(Findlay and Sinsabaugh, 2003; Anesio et al., 2004; Judd Edison, NJ, USA) equipped with a 450W Xe lamp, double
et al., 2006). In natural settings, DOM parent material is excitation and emission monochromators and an
primarily derived from terrigenous and aquatic macro extended red, high sensitivity, multi-alkali
(e.g. plants, animals) and microorganisms (e.g. algae, photocathode photomultiplier tube (Hamamatsu
phytoplankton and bacteria). Corporation, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) with slits set to 5 nm
Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), the for both excitation and emission monochromators and
fraction that absorbs ultraviolet (UV) and visible light, is using a 0.1 s integration time.
the controlling factor for the optical properties of
surface waters (Green and Blough, 1994). 2.2. Characterization
EEM fluorescence spectra were obtained by collecting
a series of 43 emission scans (kEm 250–550 nm, 2.5 nm
2. Materials and Methods
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E-mail address:
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intervals) at 5 nm excitation wavelength intervals
between kEx 240 and 450 nm.
3. Results and Discussion
Most important part of the report. Presents pertinent
results of the experiment. Organizes data into tables,
figures, graphs, etc. (whichever is appropriate). Should
provide labels with short caption for each tables, figures,
graphs, etc. Label for tables should be on top of the table
while label for figures should be below the figure.
Discussion should include the following: Figure 1. Gel permeation chromatogram of MePEG−PLA
- Mechanism of the reaction(s) block copolymer.
- Purpose of each reagents
- Rationalization of method (purpose of each major 4. Conclusion and Recommendations
techniques in the methodology)
- Techniques used to increase the yield Summary of important results (should answer: “so
- Interpretation of results (What is its significance?) what”). Discuss degree of success or failure of the
- Compare expected results with those obtained, experiment. If necessary and possible, include
account for any difference suggestions for improvement (on the method used, NOT
- Possible reasons for low yield on the course or how it is being handled). Be direct in
- Assessment of product purity stating conclusion and recommendation (don’t include
background information).
Sample:
3.1. Geochemical Analysis Sample:
The cave and spring waters displayed strong
Geochemical data for each of the samples are listed in microbial fluorescence features, lacked significant
Table 1. terrestrial signatures and exhibited unique absorbance
The EEM spectra of the cave and spring waters (Fig. 2, characteristics. One of the most important findings is
panels a through i) contained many of the characteristic that a substantial portion of CDOM in karst waters, and
peaks observed in other studies of marine and especially in sulfidic cave systems, appears to be almost
terrestrial CDOM (e.g. Fig. 1). exclusively a result of in situ microbial activity.
3.2. Sample Absorbance and Fluorescence References
The absorbance spectra for the cave and spring Include at least 3 credible publications, books, journals,
waters had steep drops in optical density between 200 etc.
and 250 nm, followed by an exponential decrease with
increasing wavelength beyond 280 nm. Many samples
had a peak or shoulder in the ca. 260– 270 nm range, Sample:
consistent with strong absorbance by fluorescent amino Aiken, G., McKnight, D.M., Harnish, R., Wershaw, R.,
acids, but could also be due to the presence of a wide 1996. Geochemistry of aquatic humic substances in the
range of other specific compounds that absorb in this Lake Fryxell Basin, Antarctica. Biogeochemistry 34,
region of the UV spectrum. 157–188.
Table 1. Amount of Alcohol and Acid for a Specific Type of Alberts, J.J., Takács, M., 2004. Total luminescence spectra
Ester –do not cut tables – of IHSS standards and reference fulvic acids, humic acids
Flavor Alcohol Acid Volume and natural organic matter: comparison of aquatic and
Volume(mL) (mL) terrestrial source terms. Organic Geochemistry 35, 243–
Banana 2-pentanol Acetic acid 256. American Public Health Association, 1998.
(9.77 mL) (3.43 mL) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
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Wastewater, 20th ed. American Public Health
Association, Washington, DC.
Anesio, A.M., Hollas, C., Granéli, W., Laybourn-Perry, J.,
2004. Influence of humic substances on bacterial and
viral dynamics in freshwaters. Applied and
Environmental Microbiology 70, 4848–4854.
Appendices
- Other raw data not presented in the discussion
- Completely filled out data sheet with calculations
- Answers to questions that have no
relevance/connection to the report.
