Occurrence and distribution of monomethylalkanes in the freshwater wetland ecosystem of the Florida Everglades

Ding He; Bernd R T Simoneit; Blanca Jara; Rudolf Jaffé

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.06.054

Occurrence and distribution of monomethylalkanes in the freshwater wetland ecosystem of the Florida Everglades

Chemosphere. 2015 Jan:119:258-266. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.06.054. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Authors

Ding He¹, Bernd R T Simoneit², Blanca Jara³, Rudolf Jaffé³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Marine Science Program, 3000 NE 151 Street, MSB 250C, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA. Electronic address: dhe001@fiu.edu.
² Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
³ Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Marine Science Program, 3000 NE 151 Street, MSB 250C, North Miami, FL 33181, USA; Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA.

PMID: 25033241
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.06.054

Abstract

A series of mono-methylalkanes (MMAs) with carbon numbers from C10 to C23 and C29 were detected in freshwater wetlands of the Everglades. A decrease in concentration and molecular complexity was observed in the order from periphyton and floc, to surface soil and deeper soil horizons. These compounds were present in varying amounts up to 27 μg gdw(-1) in periphyton, 74 μg gdw(-1) in floc, 1.8 μg gdw(-1) in surface soil, <0.03 μg gdw(-1) in deeper soils (12-15 cm). A total of 46 MMAs, including three iso and three anteiso-alkanes, were identified. Compound specific carbon isotopes values were determined for some dominant MMAs, and suggest that they originate from microbial sources, including cyanobacteria. Potential decarboxylation from fatty acids could also potentially contribute to the MMAs detected. Early diagenetic degradation was suggested to affect the accumulation of MMAs in soils and further studies are needed to address their applications as biomarkers.

Keywords: Carbon isotope; Floc; Mass spectra; Mono-methylalkanes; Periphyton.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Alkanes / analysis*
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
Florida
Fresh Water / analysis
Soil Pollutants / analysis*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
Wetlands

Substances

Alkanes
Soil Pollutants
Water Pollutants, Chemical