Patterns of hydrogen peroxide among lakes of the Mackenzie Delta, western Canadian Arctic

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3570-3588 : Catherine Febria

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2006

Publication Title

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Volume

63

Issue

9

First Page

2107

Last Page

2118

Abstract

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in Mackenzie Delta lakes varies in composition and concentration, ranging from low concentrations and high colour in frequently flooded lakes to high concentrations in clear lakes that are infrequently flooded. DOC is a precursor to the photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in lake waters. Here we assessed the patterns of H2O2 using three approaches: (i) H 2O2 levels were tracked in 40 lakes during the open water season from the Arctic summer solstice (24 h sunlight) to late summer; (H) diurnal dynamics of in situ H2O2 were tracked in a pair of lakes with contrasting DOC regimes (coloured vs. noncoloured DOC); and (JH) buildup of H2O2 was tracked in experimental microcosms of lake water exposed to manipulated UV levels. H2O2 levels were highest at the solstice and in intermittently flooded lakes. During 24 h daylight, lakes with contrasting DOC regimes showed cumulative build up of H2O2 during multiple cloudless days. Cumulatively, H 2O2 was highest in the Delta lake with a higher DOC concentration and low in colour. H2O2 buildup in lake water shielded from UVB exposure was not significantly lower from microcosms under full sunlight. UVA was the most important in coloured DOC photobleaching and H2O2 production. © 2006 NRC.

DOI

10.1139/F06-106

ISSN

0706652X

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