Keywords: carbohydrates, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, dissolved organic substances, surface water bodies, urbanized area

Results of long-term studies on dissolved carbohydrates in various surface water bodies in Ukraine (lakes, rivers, and reservoirs) are presented. Dissolved carbohydrates are the second most abundant natural organic compounds after humic substances. Their concentrations vary widely, ranging from 0.19 to 5.43 mg/L (as glucose), and their contribution to total organic carbon (Corg) ranges from 2.2 to 36.1% (on average 4.7–16.4% Corg). Concentrations largely depend on the type of water body and its trophic status, as well as on the development of phytoplankton and higher aquatic vegetation, which are the primary sources of carbohydrates. Maximum concentrations are observed in small, urbanized water bodies with significant anthropogenic impact and high nutrient content Most of these are highly eutrophic water bodies, where phytoplankton and higher aquatic vegetation develop intensively. This explains the high concentrations of carbohydrates. The maximum concentration of dissolved carbohydrates is observed during the summer–autumn season. According to gel chromatography studies, dissolved carbohydrates are represented by compounds with a wide molecular weight range – from <1.0 to >70.0 kDa. Polysaccharides dominate, constituting on average 67.7–83.7% of the total dissolved carbohydrate content. This is likely due to the predominance of polymeric compounds released actively by algae. Low-molecular-weight compounds (<1.0 kDa) account for 16.3–32.3%. Seasonal variations of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates are discussed. The greatest transformation of high-molecular-weight carbohydrate fractions occurs in summer, when water temperature rises and internal water processes are activated, particularly with the participation of microflora.

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