Characteristics of dissolved organic carbon in three layers of a deep reservoir, Lake Soyang, Korea

Vertical and seasonal distributions of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were investigated in a deep reservoir by considering the biodegradability and op tical properties of DOC from three different layers during the stratified s eason. DOC in the epilimnion was characterized by relatively labile compoun ds that may have originated from phytoplankton. DOC in the metalimnion was variable in its composition and was possibly affected by turbid water input s to the reservoir during the summer monsoon season DOC in the hypolimnion always showed refractory characteristics, with low decomposition rates and high ultraviolet (UV) absorption.