Over the last 30 years, the optical property community has shifted from conducting dissolved organic matter (DOM) measurements on new complex mixtures in natural and engineered systems to furthering ecosystem understanding in the context of past, present, and future carbon (C) cycling regimes. However, the appropriate use of optical properties to understand DOM behavior in complex biogeochemical systems is of recent debate. This critical review provides an extensive survey of DOM optical property literature across atmospheric, marine, and terrestrial biospheres using a categorical approach that probes each biosphere and its subdivisions. Using this approach, a rubric of ecosystem variables, such as productive nature, C cycling rate, C inputs, and water quality, sets the foundation for interpreting commonly used optical property DOM metrics such as fluorescence index (FI), humification index (HIX), and specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA 254 ). Case studies and a meta-analysis of each biosphere and subdivision found substantial overlap and characteristic distributions corresponding to ecosystem context for FI, HIX, and SUVA 254 , signifying chromophores and fluorophores from different ecosystems may be more similar than originally thought. This review challenges researchers to consider ecosystem connectivity when applying optical property results rather than making traditional “if this, then that” results-style conclusions.

Many challenges remain before we can fully understand the multifaceted role that natural organic matter (NOM) plays in soil and aquatic systems. These challenges remain despite the considerable progress that has been made in understanding NOM’s properties and reactivity using the latest analytical techniques. For nearly 4 decades, the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS, which is a non-profit scientific society) has distributed standard substances that adhere to strict isolation protocols and reference materials that are collected in bulk and originate from clearly defined sites. These NOM standard and reference samples offer relatively uniform materials for designing experiments and developing new analytical methods. The protocols for isolating NOM, and humic and fulvic acid fractions of NOM utilize well-established preparative scale column chromatography and reverse osmosis methods. These standard and reference NOM samples are used by the international scientific community to study NOM across a range of disciplines from engineered to natural systems, thereby seeding the transfer of knowledge across research fields. Recently, powerful new analytical techniques used to characterize NOM have revealed complexities in its composition that transcend the “microbial” vs. “terrestrial” precursor paradigm. To continue to advance NOM research in the Anthropocene epoch, a workshop was convened to identify potential new sites for NOM samples that would encompass a range of sources and precursor materials and would be relevant for studying NOM’s role in mediating environmental and biogeochemical processes. We anticipate that expanding the portfolio of IHSS reference and standard NOM samples available to the research community will enable this diverse group of scientists and engineers to better understand the role that NOM plays globally under the influence of anthropogenic mediated changes.

Purpose The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate how you can generate employee enthusiasm through creative thinking and a campaign that drives engagement from the bottom up. Design/methodology/approach Creative solutions, engagement through early careers network, inclusion for all and democratizing the process. Findings Employees want to be engaged and feel like a part of the larger organization. If given the right opportunity, they will rise to the challenge and create a new momentum to drive innovation forward. Originality/value The campaign described was designed and implemented in-house.

The much‐touted “Great Resignation” has held a steady spot in the news cycle since early 2021, when following the initial effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, including significant layoffs and furloughs, people decided to voluntarily leave their jobs “en masse.” While the great resignation may be a catchy phrase, it may not accurately depict what has happened. I would argue that it incorrectly labels what has transpired in the nonprofit sector. Many nonprofit workers also left their jobs, and the rationale behind why is more accurately described as a “re‐evaluation.”