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[Scientist] Robert L Wershaw [Research Area] Behavior of Natural Polyelectrolytes in Water show details View Publications [Science Topics] Aqueous Geochemistry; Organic Compounds [Last Name] Wershaw [Details] 
Natural organic polyelectrolytes are highly active materials that are present in practically all natural water systems. They interact with both organic and inorganic pollutants and nutrients, influencing, and in many instances, controlling the toxicity, rate of movement, persistence and rate of degradation of the pollutants and nutrients in aquatic environments. Detailed knowledge of the chemistry of natural organic polyelectrolytes is therefore of primary importance in understanding the chemical changes that affect all of the components of natural water systems. Organic polyelectrolytes are partially eliminated from drinking water by coagulation and chlorination; however, the products of chlorination are not known. Both natural and synthetic organic compounds are present in all natural waters. Some of these compounds are toxic or mutagenic and it is therefore important that they be identified and quantified in surface and ground water and in precipitation. Objectives include (1) isolation of the various organic polyelectrolytes present in natural water systems from different environments; (2) determination of the physical and chemical properties of the most abundant organic polyelectrolytes; (3) elucidation of the mechanisms of interaction of pollutants with natural organic polyelectrolytes; (4) elucidation of the mechanism of interaction of natural organic polyelectrolytes with mineral surfaces; (5) development of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods for the characterization of humic substances; (6) determination and characterization of selected organic pollutants in ground water; (7) elucidation of the mechanisms of humification in natural systems; (8) identification of diagnostic NMR bands of different functional groups found in natural organic polyelectrolytes; (9) characterization of the nitrogen containing species in natural organic polyelectrolytes; and (10) identification of the carbohydrates in humic substances.
USGS National Research Program: NRP Scientists
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