Properties of fulvic acids from deep groundwaters

Fulvic acids have been recovered from three deep groundwaters and one surface water and characterized with respect to elemental composition, molecular weight, acid capacity and 14C-age. The corresponding waters are also characterized in detail. All of the fulvic acids, with ages varying from 0 to 5250 years, are very similar. The onlu significant difference between fresh and old materials are lower content of oxygen and nitrogen and higher COOH/OH-ratios for the materials from the old waters. Dating of the water using 14C-analysis of the dissolved organic material is probably better than using the carbonate as the 14C-source.