Response of dissolved organic matter to thermal stratification and environmental indication: The case of Gangnan Reservoir

Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM), an important part of the carbon cycle in reservoir ecosystems, has a great impact on aquatic environment to recognize the conversion process of different media DOM. The distribution, spectral characteristics, and sources of DOM in Gangnan Reservoir during thermal stratification were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. Three humic-like components (C2, C3, and C4) and two protein-like components (C1 and C5) were identified. The proportions of the humic-like components increased with the progression of thermal stratification (C2 and C3 were dominant), whereas the protein-like components decreased in proportion, and the trend in the interstitial water was constant (C3 and C4 were dominant). The proportion of the humic-like components in the sediments was highest during the stationary period of thermal stratification (C2 and C3 were dominant). C2 and C3 were significantly correlated in the water body and interstitial water (P < 0.001), while C1 and C5 were correlated in the sediment (P < 0.05). In the water body, C2 and C3 were negatively correlated during the formative period of thermal stratification (slope = −1.85; R2 = 0.52), strongly positively correlated during the stationary period (slope = 0.76; R2 = 0.94), and positively correlated during the weakening period of thermal stratification (slope = 0.46; R2 = 0.30). With the progression of thermal stratification, the relative contribution of endogenous substances decreased gradually, whereas the humification degree increased in the water body and interstitial water. The protein-like components and key physicochemical factors (Fe, Mn, TN, TP, and CODMn) were significantly correlated during the formative period (P < 0.05), and humic-like components and key physicochemical factors (NO2−-N and TN) were significantly correlated during the stationary and weakening periods (P < 0.05). C1, C4, and C5 indicated NO3−-N during the formative period; C2 and C3 indicated NO3−-N during the stationary period; and C2 and C4 indicated NO3−-N during the weakening period in the water body. These findings enhance the understanding the mutual transformation processes of DOM in reservoir ecosystems and could guide water quality management.