Introduction

Abstract

Organic geochemistry has historically been the study of the origin of petroleum, coal, and oil shale. Organic geochemistry of natural waters is different from this definition and is simply the application of organic chemistry to study earth processes involving the hydrologic cycle. Organic geochemistry of natural waters may be studied at two levels. First is the macroscopic level, which is the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world. Imagine a stream flowing through a mountain valley and you are sitting on the bank. The macroscopic world of geochemistry is all around. The froth on the stream, formed in an eddy, is from natural surfactants (soaps) from plant and soil organic matter. In the spring the foam may be several inches deep as melting snow and ice leach plant pigments from last year’s fallen leaves.