Abstract
The molecular-weight distribution of organic matter and organohalogens was studied in soil collected from the litter layer and the eluviation horizon (A-horizon) of a coniferous forest. The presence of chlorinated and non-chlorinated lignin-derived aromatic structures was also determined in the soil. The molecular-weight distribution was examined by determining the amount of AOX (adsorbable organic halogens) and TOC (total organic carbon) in ultrafiltered sodium hydroxide leachates of the collected samples. Lignin-derived aromatic structures were detected by subjecting the soil to oxidative degradation followed by derivatisation and then analysing the degradation products by gas chromatography.
It was found that the organohalogens were primarily of high molecular weight, with a molecular weight distribution resembling that of the organic matter. Moreover, there were comparatively more high-molecular-weight substances in the A-horizon than in the litter layer. After chemical degradation, lignin-derived chlorinated and non-chlorinated aromatic compounds were found in all of the investigated samples and the molar ratio of chlorinated to unchlorinated 4-ethoxybenzoic acid methyl ester increased with an increasing chlorine-to-carbon ratio (mg CI/g organic C) in the soil.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Literature
Asplund, G. and A. Grimvall (1991). Organohalogens in nature, more widespread than previously assumed. Environ. Sci. Technol. 25, 1346–1350.
Dahlman, O., R. Mörck, P. Ljungquist, A. Reimann, C. Johansson, H. Borén and A. Grimvall (1993). Chlorinated structural elements in high molecular weight organic matter from unpolluted waters and bleached-kraft mill effluents. Environ. Sci. Technol. 27, 1616–1620.
DIN. (1985). Bestimmung der adsorbierbaren organisch gebundenen Halogene (AOX). DIN 38409, Teil 14, Summarische Wirkungs-und Stoffkenngrössen (Gruppe H), Beuth-Verlag, Berlin.
Enell, M. and L. Wennberg (1991). Distribution of halogenated organic compounds (AOX) -Swedish transport to surrounding sea areas and mass balance studies in five drainage systems. Wat. Sci. Technol. 24, 781–791.
Grimvall, A. and G. Asplund (1991). Natural halogenation of organic macromolecules. Finnish Humus News 3, 41–51.
Grön, C. 1991. Organic halogens in Danish groundwaters. In: Humic substances in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. (Eds. Allard, B., Borén, H. and Grimvall, A.) pp. 475–484. Springer Verlag, Berlin.
Hjelm, O., M.B. Johansson and G. Asplund (1994). An analysis of the sources and distribution pattern of organically bound halogens in soil from a coniferous forest. Submitted.
Jenny, H. (1980). The soil resource. Origin and behavior. Springer Verlag. New York.
Johansson, C., H. Borén, A. Grimvall, O. Dahlman, R. Mörck, A. Reimann and R.L. Malcolm (1994). Halogenated structural elements in naturally occurring organic matter. Proceedings of the international conference on naturally produced organohalogens. Delft, 14–17 September, 1993. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
de Jong, E., J.A. Field, H.E. Spinnler, J.B.P.A. Wijnberg and J.A.M. de Bont (1994). Significant biogenesis of chlorinated aromatics by fungi in natural environments. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 60, 264–270.
De Lijser, H.J.P., C. Erkelens, A. Knol, W. Pool and E.W.B. de Leer (1991). Natural organochlorine in humic soils. GC and GC/MS studies of soil pyrolysates. In: Humic substances in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. (Eds. Allard, B. H. Borén and A. Grimvall) pp. 485–494. Springer Verlag, Berlin.
Stevensson, F.J. (1982). Humus chemistry -Genesis, composition, reactions. Wiley and Sons, New York.
Wigilius, B., B. Allard, H. Borén and A. Grimvall (1988). Determination of adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) and their molecular weight distribution in surface water samples. Chemosphere 17, 1985–1994
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hjelm, O., Asplund, G. (1995). Chemical characterization of organohalogens in a coniferous forest soil. In: Grimvall, A., de Leer, E.W.B. (eds) Naturally-Produced Organohalogens. Environment & Chemistry, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0061-8_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0061-8_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4032-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0061-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive