gelbstoff

The optically measurable component of dissolved organic matter in water, which primarily occurs naturally from tannin released from decaying detritus. As the amount of organic matter increases, it causes the water to appear green, yellow-gr

The problem of the Gelbstoff in the sea

Like soil humus and humic materials indigenous to freshwaters, seawater gelbstoff absorbs light strongly into the ultraviolet region of the spectrum: Sieburth and Jensen (1968) noted a peak at 263 nm.

Alternative letter-case form of gelbstoff.

The problem of the Gelbstoff in the sea

[page 63] Kalle concluded that dissolved yellow substances contribute substantially to any deviation from the blue colour of pure water into the longer wavelengths region of the visible spectrum. […] Chemically the material defied unequivocal characterization, a situation which has remained essentially unchanged. Thus, for want of a systematic designation Kalle called the material "Gelbstoff", the German word for "yellow material". […] Marine Gelbstoff is a material formed in the sea wit certain spectral characteristics. It is not derived from terrestrial sources and appears to be composed of fulvic and humic components both of which are structrally different from their terrestrial counterparts. […] [page 67] These are more indications of an autochthonous origin of marine Gelbstoff supported by the interesting observation that Gelbstoff from a bog water precipitated within a week at room temperature when an equal amount of seawater was added to its solution.