Humic Polymers and Natural Waters

The majority of studies of chlorination of humic materials have been undertaken in order to demonstrate that trihalomethanes are indeed formed from these naturally occurring polymers. The earliest experiment along these lines was that of Rook (1974), who showed that an extract of peat, when chlorinated, gave rise to these compounds. Subsequent investigations with humic compounds from a variety of sources have amply confirmed the original findings (e.g., Stevens et al., 1976 Hoehn et al., 1977 Oliver and Visser, 1980). 

Chlorine appears to be incorporated into most humic materials to the extent of about 1-2%, with a variety of products besides trihalomethanes being produced (Rook, 1976 Johnson et al., 1982 De Leer and Erkelens, 1988). Trichloroacetalde-hyde (chloral), halogenated acetic acids (principally di- and trichloroacetic acid), and 2,2-dichlorobutanedioic acid (36) have been among the major products isolated 

Chlorinated monobasic acids CHCI2-COOH, CCI3-COOH, 

Chlorinated dibasic acids HOOC-CCI2-COOH, 

5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, a presumed humic model compound, Reprinted by permission from DeLeer et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 522-522. Copyright 1985 American Chemical Society. 

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REACTION MECHANISMS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Humic Polymers and Natural Waters... 

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