Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of diffuse and point sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a small stream (Alb, Southwest Germany), using gel filtration chromatography with high-sensitivity DOC-detection

  • Original Papers
  • Environmental Analysis, Other Matrices
  • Published:
Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using gel filtration chromatography and high-sensitivity UV and organic carbon (OC) detection, the quality and quantity of organic matter in a stream (the Alb, Southern Germany) has been studied in the winter season. In the catchment area and upstream of two sewage plant effluents the organic load has been low (below 1 mg/l TOC) and has been dominated by humic substances (more than 80%). Downstream of the sewage plants, TOC increased up to 5 mg/l while humic constituents decreased down to 30%. A detailed analysis showed that in the catchment area the humic fraction has been composed of fulvic acids with relatively high amounts of aliphatic structures. Downstream of the sewage plants, the humic fraction has been composed of fulvic acid precursors with associated non-humic matter. It is concluded that the quality and quantity of organic constituents in the stream has been dominated by the secondary effluents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Huber SA, Frimmel FH (1991) Anal Chem 63:2122–2130

    Google Scholar 

  2. Huber SA, Frimmel FH (1992) Fresenius J Anal Chem 342:198–200

    Google Scholar 

  3. Huber SA, Frimmel FH (1992) Vom Wasser 77:171–180

    Google Scholar 

  4. Huber SA, Frimmel FH (1992) Acta hydrochim hydrobiol 20:74–81

    Google Scholar 

  5. Huber SA, Frimmel FH (1994) Environ Sci Technol (in press)

  6. Ceccanti B, Calcinai M, Bonmati-Pont M, Ciardi C, Tarsitano R (1989) Sci Total Environ 81/82:471–479

    Google Scholar 

  7. Leppard GG, Buffle J, Baudat R (1986) Water Res 20:185–196

    Google Scholar 

  8. Thurman EM: Organic Geochemistry. Martinus Nijhoff/Dr. W. Funk Publishers (1985)

  9. Posner AM (1963) Nature 198:1161–1163

    Google Scholar 

  10. Huber SA, Abbt-Braun G, Hambsch B, Frimmel FH (in prep.)

  11. Link J, Gilbert E, Eberle SH (1989) Vom Wasser 72:349–370

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ziechmann W (1988) Evolution of structural models from consideration of physical and chemical properties. In: Frimmel FH, Christman RF (eds) Humic substances and their role in the environment. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DVGW-Forschungsstelle, Engler-Bunte-Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, D-76128, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Stefan A. Huber

  2. Engler-Bunte-Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, D-76128, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Andreas Balz & Fritz H. Frimmel

Authors
  1. Stefan A. Huber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andreas Balz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fritz H. Frimmel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huber, S.A., Balz, A. & Frimmel, F.H. Identification of diffuse and point sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a small stream (Alb, Southwest Germany), using gel filtration chromatography with high-sensitivity DOC-detection. Fresenius J Anal Chem 350, 496–503 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00321795

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00321795

Keywords

Search

Navigation