U.S. Researchers Study Organic Matter

U.S. scientists are studying the role of organic matter in the environment in an effort to prevent pollution of water purification and desalination facilities.

University of Illinois-Champaign researchers say the decomposition of plant, animal and microbial material in soil and water produces a variety of complex organic molecules that, collectively, are called natural organic matter. Such compounds play important roles in the environment.

By studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for the complex behavior of natural organic matter, the scientists are looking at negative and positive effects on the structure, water retention capability and nutrient properties of soil.

Researcher Andrey Kalinichev and geology Professor James Kirkpatrick are using computer simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate some of the factors that contribute to the complex behavior of dissolved natural organic matter. They are to present their findings this week in San Francisco during the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

A paper reporting their findings has been accepted for publication in the European Journal of Soil Science.