POC is one of the main pools of organic carbon found in the ocean. It is composed of living material (Phytoplankton, zooplanton, bacteria etc) and detritus. POC is important in terms of the global carbon cycle and it is the main pathway by which organic carbon formed via photosynthesis in the oceans surface layers is transferred to deeper ocean layers where it may be sequestered. It is measured for various reasons and, for example, can be a good indicator of productivity in the euphotic zone. In terms of sea ports, the biotic and detritus components of POC could be used as indicators of pollution.
Thank you very much Aleksandra...
I'll keep you troubling for more information, please bare with me...
Does POC's have any International or National Standards covered under any marine (harbor or creek) act???
Particulate organic carbon (POC)
Particulate organic carbon is measured by determining mass lost upon combustion of a sample. In aqueous samples, this can be done by measuring the dry mass of a filter that had a known amount of water passed through it before and after it is subjected to combustion via heating the filter to 550° C
This article suggest some answers:
https://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/research_methods/biogeochemical/organic_carbon.html
and see
https://d-nb.info/1149768827/34
Adding to the excellent answer by Aleksandra Maljković, POC is composed of a variety of macromolecules that can help determine the origin of the organic matter. Especially fatty acids can show the relative contribution of algae, bacteria or animal biomass to the POC, whether it is fresh or degraded, and whether the origin is marine or fresh water. The relevance for ports may be that the origin of the POC helps in assessing the origin of deposited harbour sludge and understanding the need for dredging and (re)design of a port to reduce the influx of sediment and thus reduce the dredging capacity and costs.
Dissolved and particulate organic carbon are important components in the carbon cycle and serve as a primary food sources for aquatic food webs. In addition, DOC alters aquatic ecosystem chemistries by contributing to acidification in low-alkalinity, weakly buffered, freshwater systems.
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