Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex mixture of biogenic molecules resulting from the deposition and transformation of plant and animal matter. It has long been recognized that NOM plays an important role in many geological, geochemical, and environmental processes. Of particular concern is the fate of NOM in response to a warming climate in environments that have historically sequestered carbon (e.g., peatlands and swamps) but may transition to net carbon emitters. In this review, we will highlight developments in the application of high-field Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) in identifying the individual components of complex NOM mixtures, focusing primarily on the fraction that is dissolved in natural waters (dissolved organic matter or DOM). We will first provide some historical perspective on developments in FTICR technology that made molecular-level characterizations of DOM possible. A variety of applications of the technique will then be described, followed by our view of the future of high-field FTICR MS in carbon cycling research, including a particularly exciting metabolomic approach.

中文翻译：

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FTICR质谱法对天然有机物进行分子水平分析的历史和有机地球化学的范式转变

天然有机物 (NOM) 是由植物和动物物质的沉积和转化产生的生物分子的复杂混合物。人们早就认识到 NOM 在许多地质、地球化学和环境过程中发挥着重要作用。特别值得关注的是 NOM 在历史上固碳但可能转变为净碳排放者的环境（例如，泥炭地和沼泽）中气候变暖的命运。在这篇综述中，我们将重点介绍高场傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱 (FTICR MS) 在识别复杂 NOM 混合物的各个组分方面的应用进展，主要关注溶解在天然水中的部分（溶解的有机物质或 DOM）。我们将首先提供一些关于 FTICR 技术发展的历史观点，这些技术使 DOM 的分子水平表征成为可能。然后将描述该技术的各种应用，然后是我们对高场 FTICR MS 在碳循环研究中的未来的看法，包括一种特别令人兴奋的代谢组学方法。