Origin of 14 C and 32 P Labelled Lipids Moving to and from Freshwater Surface Microlayers

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Abstract
The production and distribution of 14C and 32P labeled lipids were studied in laboratory model aquatic systems consisting of organisms, sediment and suspended particles. Using teflon impactor plates, lipid transport from the water to the atmosphere via jet drops from breaking bubbles in the surface microlayer was measured. Several solid materials were studied for recovery of artificial and natural surface microlayers. Hydrophilic teflon, which collects a layer 17-19 .mu.m thick, showed the best recovery in both cases. 14C and 32P added in inorganic form to sediment and subsurface water of the systems were biologically incorporated into neutral and complex lipids. The 14C labeled lipids were enriched in the surface microlayer to about 3500-5400 times the concentration found in the subsurface water. The corresponding enrichment for 32P labeled lipids was 16,000-200,000. The 32P lipid material produced within the systems was strongly associated to microorganisms, particulate matter and sediment. During 5 d [day], 0.3-16% of the labeled lipids left the systems via jet drops produced by breaking bubbles.

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