Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-194
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-194
19 May 2022
 | 19 May 2022

Potential bioavailability of pyrogenic organic matter resembles natural dissolved organic matter pools

Emily B. Graham, Hyun-Seob Song, Samantha Grieger, Vanessa Garayburu-Caruso, James Stegen, Kevin D. Bladon, and Allison Myers-Pigg

Abstract. Pyrogenic materials generated by wildfires are negatively impacting many aquatic ecosystems. At least ~10 % of dissolved organic matter (DOM) pools may be comprised of pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) that is generally considered to be more refractory than DOM from other sources. However, there has been no systematic evaluation of bioavailability across a full spectrum of PyOM chemistries. We assessed the potential bioavailability of PyOM in relation to measured and globally ubiquitous DOM compounds using a substrate-explicit model to predict the energy content, metabolic efficiency, and aerobic decomposition of representative PyOM compounds. Overall, we found similar potential bioavailability between PyOM and sediment and surface water DOM. Predicted thermodynamics and carbon use efficiencies of PyOM and DOM were statistically indistinguishable. Within PyOM, phenols and black carbon (BC, defined by Wagner et al. (2017)) had lower metabolic efficiency than other PyOM and DOM compounds, and oxygen limitation had less impact on BC metabolism than on other PyOM classes. Our work supports the recent paradigm shift where PyOM bioavailability may be more comparable to natural organic matter than previously thought, highlighting its potential role in global C emissions and providing a basis for targeted laboratory investigations into the bioavailability of various PyOM chemistries.

Emily B. Graham et al.

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-194', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Jul 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Emily Graham, 23 Nov 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-194', Anonymous Referee #2, 26 Oct 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Emily Graham, 24 Nov 2022

Emily B. Graham et al.

Emily B. Graham et al.

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Short summary
Intensifying wildfires are increasing pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) production and its impact on water quality. Recent work indicates that PyOM may have greater impact on aquatic biogeochemistry than previously assumed, driven by higher bioavailability. We provide a full assessment of the potential bioavailability of PyOM across its chemical spectrum. We indicate that PyOM can be actively transformed within the river corridor, and therefore, may be a growing source of riverine C emissions.