Acid-base analysis of dissolved organic matter in surface waters

A method was developed for the reduction of dense equal-pH-interval titration data using a linear programming minimization technique to obtain discrete pK-concentration spectra for dissolved organic matter. The method was applied to dystrophic waters at Moose Pit brook, Kejimkujik National Park, N.S. A computer-driven titrimetric system was used to obtain the equal-interval pH data. The procedure by which a discrete pK-concentration spectrum could be used to estimate the potential acidifying effect of organic acids is explained. Dissolved organic matter could reduce the pH of waters below 5 in the Kejimkujik area, though this conclusion should not be generalized to other areas.