Analytical fractionation of dissolved organic matter in water using on-line carbon detection

A routine method is described for the analytical fractionation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural freshwater and in used waters. The fractionation is based on the different adsorption behaviours of various constituents of the DOM on octadecyl-silica as a function of pH. The DOM is separated into a hydrophilic, an acid and a hydrophobic fraction. The detection is carried out by an on-line carbon detector. The method requires only small water samples (20 ml) with low dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations (1–5 mg Cl^?1). The samples can be analysed rapidly with no preconcentration. Fractionation of model compounds and mixtures demonstrates the performance of the method. The application of the method is illustrated by an investigation of the changes of the DOC composition occurring in a longitudinal transect of a river and during the infiltration of river water to groundwater.