Our understanding of land-ocean fluxes of terrestrial organic matter (terr-OM), and of processes controlling the fate of this material in Arctic coastal zones has increased dramatically over recent years. Organic matter in the Arctic has been shown to be far more reactive and labile than previously expected, with multiple source and removal pathways in both the dissolved and particulate forms. Sources of terr-OM include freshwater supply via the great Arctic rivers as well as coastal degradation through thaw-collapse and erosion, of which the latter is still poorly quantified. Rapid climate change throughout the Arctic is likely to remobilize frozen carbon pools, currently holding more than twice the amount of carbon than in the atmosphere. At the same time, it could significantly modify the composition of terr-OM, which will consequently affect its turnover and fate in the Arctic Ocean.
We invite contributions on all aspects of Arctic and sub-Arctic OM biogeochemistry, particularly those interested in the nature, dynamics and degradation of terr-OM in coastal and freshwater systems. We welcome studies that characterize terr-OM using any range of techniques, including molecular as well as bulk DOM and POM characterization (e.g. optical, isotopes and biomarkers).