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Re-evaluation of colorimetric Cl− data from natural waters with DOC

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Abstract

Colorimetric Cl− data from natural solutions that contain dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may be biased high. We evaluated aquatic Cl- concentrations in ecosystem compartments at the Bear Brook Watershed, Maine, and from lakes in Maine, using ion chromatography and colorimetry. DOC imparts a positive interference on colorimetric Cl− results proportional to DOC concentrations at approximately 0.8 µeq Cl−/L per mg DOC/L. The interference is not a function of Cl− concentration. The resulting bias in concentrations of Cl− may be 50% or more of typical environmental values for Cl− in areas remote from atmospheric deposition of marine aerosols. Such biased data in the literature appear to have led to spurious conclusions about recycling of Cl− by forests, the usefulness of Cl− as a conservative tracer in watershed studies, and calculations of elemental budgets, ion balance, charge density of DOC, and dry deposition factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Maine, 04469-5711, Orono, Maine

    Stephen A. Norton, Michael J. Handley & Jeffrey S. Kahl

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, 3039 Amwiler Road, 30360-2824, Atlanta, Georgia

    Norman E. Peters

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  1. Stephen A. Norton
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  2. Michael J. Handley
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  3. Jeffrey S. Kahl
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  4. Norman E. Peters
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Norton, S.A., Handley, M.J., Kahl, J.S. et al. Re-evaluation of colorimetric Cl− data from natural waters with DOC. Water Air Soil Pollut 91, 283–298 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00666264

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00666264

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