Organic solute changes with acidification in Lake Skjervatjern as shown by [sup 1]H-NMR spectroscopy

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Environment International; (United States)

OSTI ID:7067856

Malcolm, R L ^[1]; Hayes, T ^[2]

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1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
2. Univ. of Birmingham (United Kingdom)

[sup 1]H-NMR spectroscopy has been found to be a useful tool to establish possible real differences and trends between all natural organic solute fractions (fulvic acids, humic acids, and XAD-4 acids) after acid-rain additions to the Lake Skjervatjern watershed. The proton NMR technique used in this study determined the spectral distribution of nonexchangeable protons among four peaks (aliphatic protons; aliphatic protons on carbon [alpha] or attached to electronegative groups; protons on carbons attached to O or N heteroatoms; and aromatic protons). Differences of 10% or more in the respective peak areas were considered to represent a real difference. After one year of acidification, fulvic acids decreased 13% (relative) in Peak 3 protons on carbon attached to N and O heteroatoms and exhibited a decrease in aromatic protons between 27% and 31%. Humic acids also exhibited an 11% relative decrease in aromatic protons as a result of acidification. After one year of acidification, real changes were shown in three of the four proton assignments in XAD-4 acids. Peak 1 aliphatic protons increased by 14% (relative), Peak 3 protons on carbons attached to O and N heteroatoms decreased by 13% (relative), and aromatic protons (Peak 4) decreased by 35% (relative). Upon acidification, there was a trend in all solutes for aromatic protons to decrease and aliphatic protons to increase. The natural variation in organic solutes as shown in the Control Side B of the lake from 1990 to 1991 is perhaps a small limitation to the same data interpretations of acid rain changes at the Lake Skjervatjern site, but the proton NMR technique shows great promise as an independent scientific tool to detect and support other chemical techniques in establishing organic solute changes with different treatments (i.e., additions of acid rain). 8 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 7067856
• Report Number(s): CONF-9306371--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Environment International; (United States) Journal Volume: 20:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACIDIFICATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EUROPE
FIELD TESTS
FULVIC ACIDS
HUMIC ACIDS
LAKES
MATTER
NORWAY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MATTER
SCANDINAVIA
SOLUTES
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
WESTERN EUROPE