Fig. 1.

Schematic showing organic matter dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. Inputs of organic matter are derived from allochthonous and autochthonous sources. The dashed line indicates the suite of microbial processes that mineralize organic matter. Particulate organic carbon is hydrolyzed to high-molecular weight DOC, which is then further hydrolyzed and fermented to labile LMW-DOC. Terminal metabolizers then mineralize labile LMW-DOC to terminal end products. Organic matter recycling provides inorganic nutrient sources to support production in aquatic ecosystems and influences the amount of organic carbon subject to long-term burial.