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Sources of fatty acids in Lake Michigan surface microlayers and subsurface waters
Author(s) -
Meyers Philip A.,
Owen Robert M.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl007i011p00885
Subject(s) - subsurface flow , particulates , environmental science , particulate organic carbon , surface water , environmental chemistry , total organic carbon , dissolved organic carbon , geology , plankton , submarine pipeline , hydrology (agriculture) , oceanography , water column , fractionation , phytoplankton , nutrient , chemistry , environmental engineering , groundwater , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
Fatty acid and organic carbon contents have been measured in the particulate and dissolved phases of surface microlayer and subsurface water samples collected from Lake Michigan. Concentrations are highest close to fluvial sources and lowest in offshore areas, yet surface/subsurface fractionation is lowest near river mouths and highest in open lake locations. These gradients plus accompanying fatty acid compositional changes indicate that river‐borne organic materials are important constituents of coastal Lake Michigan microlayers and that sinking and turbulent resuspension of particulates affect surface film characteristics. Lake neuston and plankton contribute organic components which partially replace potamic materials removed by sinking.