The　components　and　structural　characteristics　of　dissolved　organic　matter　(DOM)　in　the　overlying　water　were　studied　using　various　spectroscopy　in　Beiyun　River.　The　relationship　between　the　DOM　composition　and　water　quality　was　discussed.　The　result　declared　that　the　overall　pollution　of　the　Beiyun　River　was　serious,　and　that　the　DOM　content　of　the　overlying　water　was　between　9.60　and　28.70　mg/L.　The　DOM　was　mainly　composed　of　humic-like　substances　(72.83%),　proteins　(9.49%),　and　microbial　metabolites　(17.68%).　Furthermore,　the　structure　and　composition　of　DOM　affected　the　nutrition　level　of　river　and　reflected　the　water　quality　to　some　extent.　Especially,　the　humification　degree　(SUVA254)　of　DOM　can　indirectly　reflect　the　content　of　different　types　of　nitrogen　in　the　overlying　water.　Thus,　some　preliminary　advice　has　been　proposed　to　improve　water　quality　by　analyzing　the　content,　composition　and　structural　characteristics　of　DOM　in　the　overlying　water.　These　results　offer　novel　ideas　for　the　management　of　the　Beiyun　River.　(C)　2021　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.