Bulk Parameters for Soils/Sediments from the Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park (FCE), from October 2000 to January 2001

The main goal of this research is the characterization of the sources, transport and fate of soil/sediment organic matter in Everglades National Park, and the determination of future potential effects of Everglades restoration on the source strength and accumulation rates of this OM. The general approach of this study is the seasonal sampling and analysis of bulk and molecular characteristics of soil/sediment samples from the FCE-LTER sites. Bulk parameters measured are d13C, C/N and %OC, while molecular characterizations are based on detailed biomarker analyses of extractable lipids and CP/MAS 13C-NMR of bulk OM. Preliminary results have allowed to characterize OM source strength throughout the transects, as well as determining other minor OM sources, diagenetic differences based upon OM quality and marine influences in the estuarine areas of the FCE-LTER study area.