REACTION OF SUWANNEE RIVER FULVIC-ACID WITH CHLORAMINE - CHARACTERIZATION OF PRODUCTS VIA N-15 NMR

Suwannee River fulvic acid was reacted with aqueous solutions of N-15-labeled chloramine and N-15-labeled ammonia. INEPT N-15-NMR spectra of the lyophilized products from both reactions exhibit major resonances between 90 and 120 ppm, denoting the formation of amides, enaminones, and/or aminoquinones. The striking similarity between spectra suggests that the observed N moieties result from reactions between fulvic acid and ammonia, an expected coproduct from the chlorination of the fulvic acid by chloramine. This represents the first evidence for the formation of N-containing compounds from the chloramination of dissolved organic matter in natural waters.