Carbon isotopic constraints on the contribution of plant material to the natural precursors of trihalomethanes

Organic Geochemistry
By: , and 

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Abstract

The δ13C values of individual trihalomethanes (THM) formed on reaction of chlorine with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leached from maize (corn; Zea maize L.) and Scirpus acutus(an aquatic bulrush), and with DOC extracted from agricultural drainage waters were determined using purge and trap introduction into a gas chromatograph-combustion-isotope ratio monitoring mass spectrometer. We observed a 16.8‰ difference between the δ13C values of THM produced from the maize and Scirpus leachates, similar to the isotopic difference between the whole plant materials. Both maize and Scirpus formed THM 12‰ lower in 13C than whole plant material. We suggest that the low value of the THM relative to the whole plant material is evidence of distinct pools of THM-forming DOC, representing different biochemical types or chemical structures, and possessing different environmental reactivity.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Carbon isotopic constraints on the contribution of plant material to the natural precursors of trihalomethanes
Series title Organic Geochemistry
DOI 10.1016/S0146-6380(99)00066-2
Volume 30
Issue 8 A
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 8 p.
First page 835
Last page 842
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