Research summary
Despite their relatively small geographic footprints, freshwater ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle. Dissolved organic matter is an important reason for this because it is one of the most active and mobile carbon pools. However, although we know that this matter is important for ecosystem processes, we don’t fully understand how human activity affects its composition in freshwater ecosystems.
Dr. Marguerite Xenopoulos, Canada Research Chair in Global Change of Freshwater Ecosystems, is assessing sources of dissolved organic matter and determining the pathways of its movement and loss. She and her research team aim to shed light on how the patterns of dissolved organic matter quality relate to freshwater ecosystem nutrients. This information is integral to understanding the effects of land use, climate and other human activities on freshwater ecosystems.