[Spectral Characteristics of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) from a Typical Reservoir Lake from Inland of Three Gorges Reservoir Areas: In the View of Riparian Ecosystem Analysis]

For further understanding the geochemical characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in "reservoir-type" lake, in this study a typical "reservoir-type" lake, Changshou Lake located in inlands of Three Gorges Reservoir areas, was selected to investigate the composition, sources and spatial distributions of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) in this lake, through UV-Vis and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy combined within analysis of riparian eco-system differences. The results showed that DOM concentrations including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and CDOM abundance in different sampling sites varied spatially to a certain degree, in contrast to fluorescence component of DOM showing a constant level. In backwater zone (also called stagnant zone alternatively), due to accumulation of DOM and limited impact of terrestrial contribution, the endogenesis (autochthonous production) was the predominant geochemical process showing an obvious "authigenic-control" characteristic, and relatively lower aromaticity and molecular weight. In comparison, sampling sites surrounding artificial forests and tourism development, the highly humic (highly aromatic) substances resulted from terrestrial inputs were the main source, but discharge due to human activities was also responsible for highly protein-like component observed in DOM. Additionally, in the entry zones of lake from upstream river, DOM was affected by fruit plantations and residences, contribution from upstream river could also be neglected. From the other aspects, some significant correlations were also observed, which were independent of riparian eco-system differences, for example, the SUVA₂₈₀ versus S_(275-295) (negative), CDOM versus FDOM (positive), and CDOM and S_(275-295) (negative), indicating the correlation was an intrinsic property of DOM that could not be affected by the surrounding environment. Meanwhile, the main chromophoric component of CDOM in Changshou Lake was high molecular weight (HMW) components within highly aromatic structures. At least, 51% of CDOM dynamic could be explained by changes of FDOM, especially in backwater zone the co-variance was more obvious. Furthermore, when the traditional fluorescence index (FI) could not comprehensively explain the differences of DOM sources due to very similar (statistically insignificant) values, integration of UV-Vis and fluorescence spectral characteristics and detailed discussion of riparian eco-system differences, might be an important way to help further resolution of DOM composition and sources in aquatic environments, such as lake, river and watershed.