ARS | Publication request: Characterization of IHSS Natural Organic Matter by Capillary Electrophoresis and Flourescence Spectroscopy

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 15, 2007
Publication Date: March 21, 2007
Citation: He, Z., Ohno, T., Wu, F., Olk, D.C., Honeycutt, C.W., Olanya, O.M. 2007. Characterization of IHSS Natural Organic Matter by Capillary Electrophoresis and Flourescence Spectroscopy. American Chemical Society Abstracts. 10th Anniversary Humic Science and Technology Conference Abstracts; page 27

Technical Abstract: Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and fluorescence spectroscopy have recently been used in natural organic matter (NOM) studies. In this study, we characterized fulvic acids (5), humic acids (6) and unprocessed NOM (2) samples obtained from the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) using these two methods. The electropherograms of 13 samples all show three peak features. The first and third peaks were sharp. The second peak had a broad, hump-shaped feature. The position and shapes of these peaks were similar among fulvic acid, humic acid, and/or unprocessed NOM from the same source. However, differences in peak shapes and positions were observed for NOM from different origins. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopic analysis revealed that each of 13 NOM samples contained four components. However, the relative amounts of the four components varied with sample origin. Autoclaving these samples for 1 hour (heat decomposition) changed the CE profiles and portions of the four components, indicating that both methods can be used to investigate the dynamics of NOM decomposition. Research is currently being conducted to collect the three fractions separated by CE for EEM analysis. Information on the EEM components of each CE fraction may provide novel insight into correlating complex NOM fluorescence spectra to specific NOM fractions.