https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.14595
Amount concentration of carbon found dissolved in water samples from aquatic systems, measured as total elemental carbon.
Notes:
- The "dissolved" fraction of organic carbon is an operational classification. Operationally, DOC is defined as the organic matter that is able to pass through a defined filter (filters generally range in size between \(\pu{0.7 \upmu m}\) and \(\pu{0.22 \upmu m}\)). Conversely, particulate organic carbon (POC) in water is that carbon that is too large and is filtered out of a sample.
- The DOC in marine and freshwater systems is part of the greatest cycled reservoir of organic matter on Earth and consists mostly of humic substances.
- DOC is important in the transport and bioavailability of pollutants in aquatic systems.
- Metals may form strong complexes with DOC, increasing metal solubility and concentration in water, while also reducing metal bioavailability.
See also: dissolved organic matter