Microbially Labile and Produced DOM Formulas Identified Through Heterotrophic Incubation Experiments

We employed online counter-gradient liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LC-FT-ICR-MS) to investigate a 90-day microbial incubation experiment involving coastal seawater (CSW) amended with diatom intracellular organic matter (DIA) and coastal sediment-derived dissolved organic matter (SED). The molecular composition of solid-phase extracted DOM was analyzed at the beginning (Day 0) and the end (Day 90) of the incubation using LC-FT-ICR-MS. The uploaded dataset includes the uniquely identified molecular formulas of DOM present at Day 0 and Day 90, representing microbially labile and microbially produced DOM, respectively. These data provide insights into the composition and microbial transformation of DOM driven by heterotrophic microbial activity.