Determination of the biodegradable fraction of dissolved and particulate organic carbon in waters

Abstract

A simple procedure is described in order to estimate the biodegradable fraction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and total organic carbon (TOC) in water samples. Methodological improvements of the method which includes aerobic incubation in batch and carbon measurements are presented. First applications to natural and waste water samples show the usefulness of the method in the field of water treatment and management of surface water.