Molecular weight distribution of humic and fulvic acids of sediments from a north Florida estuary

Abstract

The molecular weight distribution of the humic and fulvic acid fractions of two sediments was determined using Amicon ultrafiltrat ion techniques. All fractions of humic substances had a molecular weight range of less than 500 to greater than 300,000. The largest component of humic acids was in the greater than 300,000 molecular weight range, whereas, the largest percentages of fulvic acids were in the less than 500 molecular weight range and the 100,000–300,000 molecular weight range. From this preliminary investigation there appears to be a qualitative relationship between the molecular weight composition of the humic substances in the sediment and the salinity of the overlying water within an estuarine environment.