Characterization of high molecular mass fractions of receiving waters and sediments of a pulp mill by CuO-oxidation and HPLC

High molecular mass fractions were separated by ultrafiltration from water samples collected at four sampling stations downstream and one upstream of a kraft pulp mill. These fractions and three sediment samples containing high molecular mass organic compounds were degraded by alkaline cupric oxide oxidation. Lignin and humic compounds in fractions were characterized analyzing their oxidation products by reversed phase HPLC and photodiode array detection.