Biomarker assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the composition of flocculent material (floc) in the subtropical wetland of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) from May 2007 to December 2009
At a Glance
Authors: Rudolf Jaffe, Oliva Pisani
Time period: to
Package id: knb-lter-fce.1206.2
Dataset id: ST_OMD_Jaffe_001
Jaffe, R., O. Pisani. 2015. Biomarker assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the composition of flocculent material (floc) in the subtropical wetland of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) from May 2007 to December 2009. Environmental Data Initiative. https://doi.org/. Dataset accessed 2024-10-09.
Geographic Coverage
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Dataset Creator(s)
- Name: Dr. Rudolf Jaffe
- Position: Lead Principal Investigator
- Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program
- Address: Florida International University
University Park
OE 148
Miami, Florida 33199 USA - Phone: 305-348-2456
- Fax: 305-348-4096
- Email: jaffer@fiu.edu
- URL: http://serc.fiu.edu/sercindex/index.htm
- Name: Oliva Pisani
- Position: Florida International University University Park OE 148
- Organization: Southeast Environmental Research Center
- Address: Miami
Florida, 33199 USA 305-348-3118 - Phone: 305-348-4096
- Fax: opisani@fiu.edu
- Email: Graduate student
- URL: http://serc.fiu.edu/sercindex/index.htm
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Dataset AbstractFlocculent material (floc) is an important energy source in wetlands. In the Florida Everglades, floc is present in both freshwater marshes and coastal environments and plays a key role in food webs and nutrient cycling. However, not much is known about its environmental dynamics, in particular its biological sources and bio-reactivity. We analysed floc samples collected from different environments in the Florida Everglades and applied biomarkers and pigment chemotaxonomy to identify spatial and seasonal differences in organic matter sources. An attempt was made to link floc composition with algal and plant productivity. Spatial differences were observed between freshwater marsh and estuarine floc. Freshwater floc receives organic matter inputs from local periphyton mats, as indicated by microbial biomarkers and chlorophyll-a estimates. At the estuarine sites, the floc is dominated by mangrove as well as diatom inputs from the marine end-member. The hydroperiod (duration and depth of inundation) at the freshwater sites influences floc organic matter preservation, where the floc at the short-hydroperiod site is more oxidised likely due to periodic dry-down conditions. Seasonal differences in floc composition were not consistent and the few that were observed are likely linked to the primary productivity of the dominant biomass (periphyton in the freshwater marshes and mangroves in the estuarine zone). Molecular evidence for hydrological transport of floc material from the freshwater marshes to the coastal fringe was also observed. With the on-going restoration of the Florida Everglades, it is important to gain a better understanding of the biogeochemical dynamics of floc, including its sources, transformations and reactivity.
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Geographic CoverageStudy Extent Description
The Study Extent of this dataset includes the FCE Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough research sites within Everglades National Park, South Florida
Bounding Coordinates
Samples were collected in the Taylor Slough and Shark River Slough, within Everglades National Park, South Florida.
N: 25.550, S: 25.214, E: -80.607, W: -81.078
Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Study Area: South Florida, Everglades National Park, and Florida Bay
N: 25.550, S: 25.214, E: -80.607, W: -81.078
FCE LTER Sites
SRS2, SRS6, TS/Ph2, and TS/Ph6a.
Geographic DescriptionBounding CoordinatesFCE LTER Site SRS2N: 25.550, S: 25.550, E: -80.785, W: -80.785FCE LTER Site SRS6N: 25.365, S: 25.365, E: -81.078, W: -81.078FCE LTER Site TS/Ph2N: 25.40, S: 25.40, E: -80.61, W: -80.61FCE LTER Site TS/Ph6aN: 25.21, S: 25.21, E: -80.65, W: -80.65
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Temporal CoverageStart Date: 2007-05-16
End Date: 2009-12-14
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Attributes
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Data Table: Biomarker assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the composition of flocculent material (floc) in the subtropical wetland of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE)Attribute Name:SITENAMEAttribute Label:sitenameAttribute Definition:Name of LTER siteStorage Type:textMeasurement Scale:Name of LTER siteMissing Value Code:Attribute Name:DateAttribute Label:dateAttribute Definition:Collection dateStorage Type:datetimeMeasurement Scale:Missing Value Code:Attribute Name:DepthAttribute Label:DepthAttribute Definition:Floc depthStorage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: centimeterPrecision: 0.1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.0 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:DensityAttribute Label:DensityAttribute Definition:Floc densityStorage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: gramsPerCubicCentimeterPrecision: 0.01
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:OMAttribute Label:Organic MatterAttribute Definition:Percent organic matter obtained by subtracting the ash free dry weight from 100%Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: percentPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:C/NAttribute Label:Carbon to nitrogen ratioAttribute Definition:Carbon to nitrogen ratioStorage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: dimensionlessPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:ΣChl-aAttribute Label:Total chlorophyll-aAttribute Definition:The sum of chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-a epimer, chlorophyll-a allomer, chlorophyllide-a and pyrochlorophyllide-a.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: milligramsPerGramPrecision: 0.01
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:Σa-derivsAttribute Label:Total chlorophyll degradation productsAttribute Definition:The sum of pheophytin-a, pyropheophytin-a, pheophorbide-a and pyropheophorbide-a.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: milligramsPerGramPrecision: 0.01
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:ScytoneminAttribute Label:ScytoneminAttribute Definition:ScytoneminStorage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: milligramsPerGramPrecision: 0.01
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:CyanoAttribute Label:CyanobacteriaAttribute Definition:Cyanobacteria contribution to the floc.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: percentPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:ChloroAttribute Label:ChlorophytesAttribute Definition:Chlorophyte contribution to the floc.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: percentPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:DiatomsAttribute Label:DiatomsAttribute Definition:Diatom contribution to the floc.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: percentPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:CryptoAttribute Label:CryptophytesAttribute Definition:Cryptophyte contribution to the floc.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: percentPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:DinosAttribute Label:DinoflagellatesAttribute Definition:Dinoflagellate contribution to the floc.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: percentPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:C29/C17Attribute Label:C29 and C17 n-alkanesAttribute Definition:Ratio of the C29 and C17 n-alkanes.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: dimensionlessPrecision: 1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:PaqAttribute Label:Aquatic vegetation proxyAttribute Definition:Proxy for aquatic vegetation inpputs to the floc.Storage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: dimensionlessPrecision: 0.1
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.0 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:C28 n-alkeneAttribute Label:C28 n-alkeneAttribute Definition:C28 n-alkeneStorage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: milligramsPerGramPrecision: 0.01
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )Attribute Name:C20 HBIAttribute Label:C20 Highly Branched IsoprenoidAttribute Definition:C20 Highly Branched IsoprenoidStorage Type:dataMeasurement Scale:Units: milligramsPerGramPrecision: 0.01
Number Type: realMissing Value Code:-9999.00 (Value will never be recorded )
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Data Table: Biomarker assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the composition of flocculent material (floc) in the subtropical wetland of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE)
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MethodsSampling Description
Floc samples are collected quarterly from four LTER sites, stored on ice and transported to the lab. Samples are then frozen, freeze-dried and stored in a freezer until prepared for the pigment and biomarker analyses.
Method Step
Description
Quarterly floc samples were collected in 1-L Teflon jars and stored on ice for transport to the laboratory where they were frozen and freeze-dried. Floc depth and bulk density were measured during each sampling event. A floc subsample was used to obtain the ash free dry weight, the percent organic matter content and the carbon to nitrogen ratio. Pigment chemotaxonomy was performed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The floc samples were extracted using 3mL of a solvent mixture of methanol/acetone/dimethylformamide/water (30:30:30:10) containing a known amount of internal standard. The pigment extractions were performed by grinding at ice bath temperature in a Teflon/glass homogenizer. The extract was sonicated in an ice bath and allowed to steep for 1 hour. Extracts were recovered by centrifugation and filtered through a 0.45um filter. The pigments in the extract were separated by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography and the quantified pigments include chlorophyll-a, scytonemin, zeaxanthin, echinenone, chlorophyll-b, fucoxanthin, peridinin and alloxanthin. Zeaxanthin and echinenone represent the contribution to the floc from cyanobacteria, chlorophyll-b from chlorophytes, fucoxanthin from diatoms, peridinin from dinoflagellates and alloxanthin from cryptophytes. The floc samples were also analyzed for biomarkers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Aliquots of freeze-dried floc were extracted with 350mL of dichloromethane for 24 hours. The extracts were concentrated and separated into neutral and acid fractions by saponification using 25mL of freshly prepared 1N KOH. The neutral fraction was further fractionated using silica-gel adsorption chromatography and the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions were analysed. Because plants contain high amounts of the C29 n-alkane and algae contain high amounts of the C17 n-alkane, the ratio of the C29 and the C17 n-alkanes was calculated to distinguish between these two sources. The aquatic proxy (Paq) was calculated by dividing the sum of the C23 and C25 n-alkanes by the sum of the C23, C25, C29 and C31 n-alkanes. This parameter is used to distinguish organic matter from submerged-floating and emergent-terrestrial macrophytes because submerged-floating plant species have abundant mid-chain alkanes relative to emergent-terrestrial plants. The C28 n-alkene, which is a biomarker for mangrove inputs, was quantified. The C20 highly branched isoprenoid, a biomarker for periphyton, was quantified.
Citation
Neto, R R 2006. Organic biogeochemistry of detrital flocculent material (floc) in a subtropical, coastal wetland. Biogeochemistry, 77: 283-304.
Instrumentation
Nalgene 1-L Teflon jars Photodiode array detector 3.9x150mm Waters NovaPack 4-micron C18 column Rheodyne 7125 injector Thermo Fisher Scientific Model 4100 quaternary HPLC pump Agilent HP 6890 gas chromatograph Agilent HP 5730 mass selective detectorMethod Step
Description
Quarterly floc samples were collected in 1-L Teflon jars and stored on ice for transport to the laboratory where they were frozen and freeze-dried. Floc depth and bulk density were measured during each sampling event. A floc subsample was used to obtain the ash free dry weight, the percent organic matter content and the carbon to nitrogen ratio. Pigment chemotaxonomy was performed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The floc samples were extracted using 3mL of a solvent mixture of methanol/acetone/dimethylformamide/water (30:30:30:10) containing a known amount of internal standard. The pigment extractions were performed by grinding at ice bath temperature in a Teflon/glass homogenizer. The extract was sonicated in an ice bath and allowed to steep for 1 hour. Extracts were recovered by centrifugation and filtered through a 0.45um filter. The pigments in the extract were separated by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography and the quantified pigments include chlorophyll-a, scytonemin, zeaxanthin, echinenone, chlorophyll-b, fucoxanthin, peridinin and alloxanthin. Zeaxanthin and echinenone represent the contribution to the floc from cyanobacteria, chlorophyll-b from chlorophytes, fucoxanthin from diatoms, peridinin from dinoflagellates and alloxanthin from cryptophytes. The floc samples were also analyzed for biomarkers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Aliquots of freeze-dried floc were extracted with 350mL of dichloromethane for 24 hours. The extracts were concentrated and separated into neutral and acid fractions by saponification using 25mL of freshly prepared 1N KOH. The neutral fraction was further fractionated using silica-gel adsorption chromatography and the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions were analysed. Because plants contain high amounts of the C29 n-alkane and algae contain high amounts of the C17 n-alkane, the ratio of the C29 and the C17 n-alkanes was calculated to distinguish between these two sources. The aquatic proxy (Paq) was calculated by dividing the sum of the C23 and C25 n-alkanes by the sum of the C23, C25, C29 and C31 n-alkanes. This parameter is used to distinguish organic matter from submerged-floating and emergent-terrestrial macrophytes because submerged-floating plant species have abundant mid-chain alkanes relative to emergent-terrestrial plants. The C28 n-alkene, which is a biomarker for mangrove inputs, was quantified. The C20 highly branched isoprenoid, a biomarker for periphyton, was quantified.
Citation
Hagerthey, S E 2006. Evaluation of pigment extraction methods and a recommended protocol for periphyton chlorophyll a determination and chemotaxonomic assessment. Journal of Phycology, 42: 1125-1136.
Instrumentation
Nalgene 1-L Teflon jars Photodiode array detector 3.9x150mm Waters NovaPack 4-micron C18 column Rheodyne 7125 injector Thermo Fisher Scientific Model 4100 quaternary HPLC pump Agilent HP 6890 gas chromatograph Agilent HP 5730 mass selective detectorMethod Step
Description
Quarterly floc samples were collected in 1-L Teflon jars and stored on ice for transport to the laboratory where they were frozen and freeze-dried. Floc depth and bulk density were measured during each sampling event. A floc subsample was used to obtain the ash free dry weight, the percent organic matter content and the carbon to nitrogen ratio. Pigment chemotaxonomy was performed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The floc samples were extracted using 3mL of a solvent mixture of methanol/acetone/dimethylformamide/water (30:30:30:10) containing a known amount of internal standard. The pigment extractions were performed by grinding at ice bath temperature in a Teflon/glass homogenizer. The extract was sonicated in an ice bath and allowed to steep for 1 hour. Extracts were recovered by centrifugation and filtered through a 0.45um filter. The pigments in the extract were separated by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography and the quantified pigments include chlorophyll-a, scytonemin, zeaxanthin, echinenone, chlorophyll-b, fucoxanthin, peridinin and alloxanthin. Zeaxanthin and echinenone represent the contribution to the floc from cyanobacteria, chlorophyll-b from chlorophytes, fucoxanthin from diatoms, peridinin from dinoflagellates and alloxanthin from cryptophytes. The floc samples were also analyzed for biomarkers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Aliquots of freeze-dried floc were extracted with 350mL of dichloromethane for 24 hours. The extracts were concentrated and separated into neutral and acid fractions by saponification using 25mL of freshly prepared 1N KOH. The neutral fraction was further fractionated using silica-gel adsorption chromatography and the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions were analysed. Because plants contain high amounts of the C29 n-alkane and algae contain high amounts of the C17 n-alkane, the ratio of the C29 and the C17 n-alkanes was calculated to distinguish between these two sources. The aquatic proxy (Paq) was calculated by dividing the sum of the C23 and C25 n-alkanes by the sum of the C23, C25, C29 and C31 n-alkanes. This parameter is used to distinguish organic matter from submerged-floating and emergent-terrestrial macrophytes because submerged-floating plant species have abundant mid-chain alkanes relative to emergent-terrestrial plants. The C28 n-alkene, which is a biomarker for mangrove inputs, was quantified. The C20 highly branched isoprenoid, a biomarker for periphyton, was quantified.
Citation
Jaffe, R 2006. Origin and transport of sedimentary organic matter in two subtropical estuaries: a comparative, biomarker-based study. Organic Geochemistry, 32: 507-526.
Instrumentation
Nalgene 1-L Teflon jars Photodiode array detector 3.9x150mm Waters NovaPack 4-micron C18 column Rheodyne 7125 injector Thermo Fisher Scientific Model 4100 quaternary HPLC pump Agilent HP 6890 gas chromatograph Agilent HP 5730 mass selective detectorQuality Control
For biomarker measurements, blanks are run between samples to check for carry-over and interferences.
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Distribution and Intellectual RightsOnline distribution
http://fcelter.fiu.edu/perl/public_data_download.pl?datasetid=ST_OMD_Jaffe_001.txt
Data Submission Date: 2005-08-12
Intellectual Rights
These data are classified as 'Type II' whereby original FCE LTER experimental data collected by individual FCE researchers to be released to restricted audiences according to terms specified by the owners of the data. Type II data are considered to be exceptional and should be rare in occurrence. The justification for exceptions must be well documented and approved by the lead PI and Site Data Manager. Some examples of Type II data restrictions may include: locations of rare or endangered species, data that are covered under prior licensing or copyright (e.g., SPOT satellite data), or covered by the Human Subjects Act, Student Dissertation data and those data related to the FCE LTER Program but not funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under LTER grants #DEB-9910514, and # DBI-0620409. Researchers that make use of Type II Data may be subject to additional restrictions to protect any applicable commercial or confidentiality interests. All publications based on this dataset must cite the data Contributor, the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program and that this material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DEB-1237517, #DBI-0620409, and #DEB-9910514. Additionally, two copies of the manuscript must be submitted to the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program Office, LTER Program Manager, Florida International University, Southeast Environmental Research Center, OE 148, University Park, Miami, Florida 33199. For a complete description of the FCE LTER Data Access Policy and Data User Agreement, please go to FCE Data Management Policy at http://fcelter.fiu.edu/data/DataMgmt.pdf and LTER Network Data Access Policy at http://fcelter.fiu.edu/data/core/data_user_agreement/distribution_policy.html.
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KeywordsFCE, Florida Coastal Everglades LTER, ecological research, long-term monitoring, Estuarine, Freshwater marsh, Hydroperiod, Mangrove, Periphyton, Pigment, floc, organic matter, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophytes, Diatoms, Cryptophytes, Dinoflagellates, floc density, floc depth
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Dataset Contact
- Position: Information Manager
- Organization: LTER Network Office
- Address: UNM Biology Department, MSC03-2020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 USA - Phone: 505 277-2535
- Fax: 505 277-2541
- Email: tech-support@lternet.edu
- URL: http://www.lternet.edu
- Name: Rudolf Jaffe
- Position: Project Collaborator
- Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program
- Address: Florida International University
University Park
OE 148
Miami, Florida 33199 USA - Phone: 305-348-2456
- Fax: 305-348-4096
- Email: jaffer@fiu.edu
- URL: http://serc.fiu.edu/sercindex/index.htm
- Position: Information Manager
- Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program
- Address: Florida International University
University Park
OE 148
Miami, FL 33199 USA - Phone: 305-348-6054
- Fax: 305-348-4096
- Email: fcelter@fiu.edu
- URL: http://fcelter.fiu.edu
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Data Table and FormatData Table: Biomarker assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the composition of flocculent material (floc) in the subtropical wetland of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE)Entity Name:ST_OMD_Jaffe_001Entity Description:Biomarker assessment of spatial and temporal changes in the composition of flocculent material (floc) in the subtropical wetland of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE)Object Name:ST_OMD_Jaffe_001Number of Header Lines:1Attribute Orientation:columnField Delimiter:,Number of Records:44
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Metadata Provider
- Organization: Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program
- Address: Florida International University
University Park
OE 148
Miami, FL 33199 USA - Phone: 305-348-6054
- Email: fcelter@fiu.edu
- URL: http://fcelter.fiu.edu