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Ultraviolet Irradiation of Dilute Fulvic Acid Solutions¹

ABSTRACT

Dilute aqueous fulvic acid (FA) solutions were exposed to UV irradiation for various lengths of time at pH 3.5, 7.0, and 11.0. The rate of photo-oxidation of FA was pH dependent, increasing with increase in pH.

In acid solution most of the FA appeared to be oxidized to CO₂ + H₂O. Organic S was converted to inorganic sulfate. Under neutral and alkaline conditions, organic C was oxidized to inorganic carbonate. About 90% of the initial FA was decomposed by UV irradiation. Only the most stable components, which were benzenecarboxylic and allphatic n-fatty acids, resisted decomposition. Phenolic acids, the chromophores responsible for the color of FA, were destroyed.

Ultraviolet irradiation could be used as a degradative method if one is interested in isolating and identifying the most stable FA components only.

¹ Contribution from the Dep. of Soil & Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew Univ., Rehovot, Israel.

² Lecturer, Hebrew Univ., Rehovot, Israel; Senior Research Scientist, Chemistry and Biology Res. Inst., Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario and Principal Research Scientist, Soil Res. Inst., Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1AOC6.

Received for publication July 21, 1977. Accepted for publication January 10, 1978.

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