Quantifying dissolved organic carbon concentrations in upland catchments using phenolic proxy measurements

Peacock, Mike; Burden, Annette; Cooper, Mark; Dunn, Christian; Evans, C. D.; Fenner, Nathalie; Freeman, Chris; Gough, Rachel; Hughes, David D.; Hughes, S.; Jones, Tim G.; Lebron, Inma; West, Mike; Zieliński, Piotr

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.11.042

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…However, colour and DOC in raw water showed a strong correlation between each other (r 2 = 0.78, p < 0.001, n = 994) and colour also correlated weakly but significantly with THMs in distribution samples (r 2 = 0.25, p < 0.001, n = 954) and in potable water samples (r 2 = 0.39, p < 0.001, n = 1187). We suspect the correlation between colour and DOC in raw water is primarily related to the presence of coloured phenolic compounds typically abundant in organic soils 29 30 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climatic, Geographic and Operational Determinants of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in Drinking Water Systems

Valdivia-Garcia

Weir

Frogbrook

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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Trihalomethanes (THMs) are conditionally carcinogenic compounds formed during chlorine disinfection in water treatment processes around the world. THMs occur especially when source waters are subject to marine influences, high and-or regular precipitation, and elevated levels of organic matter. THMs formation is then rooted in geographic, operational and climatic factors, the relative importance of which can only be derived from large datasets and may change in the future. Ninety three full-scale Scottish water treatment plants (WTPs) were assessed from Jan 2011 to Jan 2013 to identify factors that promote THMs formation. Correlation analysis showed that ambient temperature was the primary THMs formation predictor in potable water (r2 = 0.66, p < 0.05) and water distribution systems (r2 = 0.43, p = 0.04), while dissolved organic carbon (r2 = 0.55, p < 0.001) and chloride (indicating marine influence; r2 = 0.41, p < 0.001) also affected THMs formation. GIS mapping of median THMs levels indicated brominated THMs were most prevalent in coastal areas and on islands. This real-world dataset confirms both geographic and climatic factors are key to THMs formation. If ambient temperatures increase, THMs control will become more challenging, substantiating concerns about the impact of global warming on water quality.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climatic, Geographic and Operational Determinants of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in Drinking Water Systems

Valdivia-Garcia

Weir

Frogbrook

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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“…Additionally, a phenolic proxy may provide a useful estimate of DOC concentration. 63 These methods could be preferable to freezing or acidifying water samples, which have been shown to affect both DOC quantity and quality. 19,[33][34][35][36] 4.3.…”

Section: Modelling Doc Loss and Other Practical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigations of freezing and cold storage for the analysis of peatland dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and absorbance properties

Peacock

Freeman

Gauci

et al. 2015

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts

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Although measured rates of biological degradation of DOC are typically low under dark conditions, it is assumed that water samples must be analysed soon after collection to provide an accurate measure of DOC concentration and UV-visible absorbance. To examine the impact of storage on DOC quality and quantity, we took water samples from an ombrotrophic peatland, and stored them in the dark at 4 °C for 138-1082 days. A median of 29% of DOC was lost during storage, but losses of absorbance at 254 nm were less. DOC loss followed a first-order exponential decay function, and was dependent on storage time. DOC half-life was calculated as 1253 days. Specific absorbance at 254 nm suggested that samples containing more aromatic DOC were more resistant to degradation, although time functioned as the primary control. Samples from two fens showed that loss of absorbance was greater at 400 nm rather than 254 nm, after 192 days storage, suggesting that non-aromatic DOC is preferentially degraded. These results suggest that samples can be stored for several months before losses of DOC become detectable, and that it is possible to back-calculate initial DOC concentrations in long-term stored samples based on known decay rates. Freeze/thaw experiments using samples from a range of peatlands suggested that DOC concentration was mostly unaffected by the process, but DOC increased 37% in one sample. Freezing had unpredictable and sometimes strong effects on absorbance, SUVA and E ratios, therefore freezing is not recommended as a method of preservation for these analyses.

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“…The storm samples were analysed for DOC using a UV spectrometer for chemical free substance analysis ProPS CW (Trios Gmbh, Rastede, Germany) with adjustable 10 mm path length at a spectral range of 190-360 nm as this is a quick and cost effective method for analysing a large number of samples (Peacock et al, 2013, Sandford et al, 2010. DOC was analysed as soon as possible after sample collection and always within 7 days of each event as storage tests identified a mean loss of 0.38 mg L -1 of DOC per day (N=16, SD=0.07) across the range of concentrations (Fig.…”

Section: Laboratory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the spatial variability of soil physical and chemical properties in relation to mitigation of diffuse water pollution

et al. 2014

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The European Water Framework Directive 2000 established a new emphasis for the management of freshwaters by setting ecologically-based water quality targets that are to be achieved through holistic, catchment-scale, ecosystem management. However, significant knowledge gaps exist in the understanding of the cumulative effectiveness of multiple mitigation measures on a number of pollutants at a catchment scale. This research contributes to improved understanding of the effectiveness of an ecosystem management approach to deliver catchment-scale water quality improvements on the National Trust Holnicote Estate on Exmoor, UK. This research is part of a larger multi-objective project funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to demonstrate the benefits of land use interventions for the management of flood risk. This thesis evaluates the effects of upland ditch blocking on physico-chemical and biological parameters of water quality in an upland Horner Water catchment one year after habitat restoration, and establishes a solid baseline for the monitoring of the effects of current and future land management changes in a lowland, intensively managed, agricultural Aller catchment. The spatial variability of soil physical and chemical properties (bulk density, total carbon (TN), nitrogen (TN), C:N ratio, δ 15 N, total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic phosphorus (OP)) and water quality determinands (suspended sediment (SS), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total particulate carbon (TPC), total oxidised nitrogen (TON) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP)) in the two study catchments with contrasting land use has been characterised and linked to the prevailing land use. Agricultural land use resulted in extensive homogenisation of soil properties. The spatial dependence of all soil properties, except for bulk density and δ 15 N, was stronger in the agricultural than the semi-natural catchment (nugget:sill ratio 0.10-0.42 in the Aller and 0.15-0.94 in Horner Water), while bulk density, TP, inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic phosphorus (OP), C:N ratio, δ 15 N and carbon storage showed a longer range of spatial auto-correlation in the agricultural catchment Contents ABSTRACT .

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Quantifying dissolved organic carbon concentrations in upland catchments using phenolic proxy measurements

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Cited by 16 publications

References 53 publications

Climatic, Geographic and Operational Determinants of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in Drinking Water Systems

Climatic, Geographic and Operational Determinants of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in Drinking Water Systems

Investigations of freezing and cold storage for the analysis of peatland dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and absorbance properties

Quantifying the spatial variability of soil physical and chemical properties in relation to mitigation of diffuse water pollution

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