This project uses NMR spectroscopy and other techniques to understand the structure and reactivity of natural organic matter (NOM), primarily humic substances, in soil and water, with an emphasis on nitrogen in NOM. Because nitrogen in humic substances comprises the major form of biologically refractive organic nitrogen in soil and water, knowledge of the formation and mineralization pathways of nitrogen in NOM is critical to an understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen. A current focus of research is the characterization of carbon and nitrogen in the dissolved, colloidal, and particulate phases of organic matter in the Mississippi River, which is being undertaken in the context of the Gulf of Mexico hypoxia problem. Another current research effort is the application of NMR to the environmental chemistry and remediation of explosives.
Kevin A. ThornResearch ChemistNational Research Program, Water Resources Discipline, United States Geological Survey
Research Specialization
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Selected Recent PublicationsThorn, K. A., Younger, S. J., Cox, L. G., Order of Functionality Loss During Photodegradation of Aquatic Humic Substances. J. Environmental Quality, 2010, 39(4) 1416-1428. Link Thorn, K. A.; Cox, L. G. 15N NMR spectra of naturally abundant nitrogen in soil and aquatic natural organic matter samples of the International Humic Substances Society. Organic Geochem. 2009, 40, 484-499. link Thorn, K. A. Reduction and Incorporation of Nitrate Nitrogen into Aquatic NOM Upon UV Irradiation Examined by 15N NMR, Division of Environmental Chemistry Preprints of Papers, 223rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Orlando, FL; American Chemical Society; 2002, Vol. 42(1), 537-542. link Osburn, C. L.; Morris, D. P.; Thorn, K. A.; Moeller, R. E. Chemical and optical changes in freshwater dissolved organic matter exposed to solar radiation. Biogeochemistry 2001, 54, 251-278. On-line Abstract Thorn, K. A.; Mikita, M. A. Nitrite fixation by humic substances: 15N Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Evidence for Potential Intermediates in Chemodenitrification. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 2000, 64, 568-582. On-line Abstract link Thorn, K. A.; Aiken, G. R. Biodegradation of Crude Oil into Nonvolatile Organic Acids in a Contaminated Aquifer Near Bemidji, Minnesota. Organic Geochemistry, 1998, 29, 909-931. On-line Abstract link Roy A. Schroeder, Ed., 2003, Water-Quality Changes and Organic-Carbon Characterization During Recharge with Recycled Water at a Research Basin in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4146. http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wrir034146 Averett, R. C.; Leenheer, J. A.; McKnight, D. M.; Thorn, K. A. Humic Substances in the Suwanee River, Georgia; interactions, properties, and proposed structures, USGS Water Supply Paper 2373, 1994. http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/wsp/wsp2373 Thorn, K. A.; Folan, D. W., MacCarthy, P., Characterization of the International Humic Substances Society Standard aqnd Reference Fulvic and Humic Acids by Solution State 13C and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometry. Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4196.link Thorn, K. A.; Cox, L. G., Ultraviolet Irradiation Effects Incorporation of Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen into Aquatic Natural Organic Matter. Journal of Environmental Quality, Vol. 41, Issue 3, 3 pages 865-881, May-June 2012 Thorn, K. A., Ultraviolet Irradiation Effects Incorporation of Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen into Aquatic Natural Organic Matter, ACS Powerpoint Presentation link Aromatic Amines and Explosives RemediationWeber, E. J.; Spidle, D. J.; Thorn, K. A. Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances. 1. Kinetic Studies. Environ. Sci. & Technol. 1996, 30, 2755-2763. On-line Abstract Link Thorn, K. A.; Pettigrew, P. J.; Goldenberg, W. S.; Weber,E. J. Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances. 2. 15N NMR Studies of Nucleophilic Addition Reactions. Environ. Sci. & Technol. 1996, 30, 2764-2775. On-line Abstract Link Thorn, K. A.; Goldenberg, W. S.; Younger, S. J.; Weber, E. J. Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances: Comparison of Nucleophilic Addition, Enzyme-, and Metal-Catalyzed Reactions by 15N NMR. In Humic and Fulvic Acids: Isolation, Structure, and Environmental Role; J. S. Gaffney; N. A. Marley and S. B. Clark, Eds.; American Chemical Society, 1996a; pp 299-326.On-line Abstract Pennington, J. C., Thorn, K. A., Gunnison, D., McFarland, V. A., Thorne, P. G., Inouye, L. S., Fredrickson, H., Leggett, D. C., Ringleberg, D., Jarvis, A. S., Felt, D. R., Lutz, C. H., Hayes, C. A., Clark, J. U., Richmond, M., O'Neal, B., and Porter, B. E. (1998). "Explosives conjugation products in remediation matrices: Interim Report 2," Technical Report SERDP-98-12, U.S.Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trserdp98-12.pdf Pennington, J. C.; Thorn, K. A.; Inouye, L. S.; McFarland, V. A.; Jarvis, A. S.; Lutz, C. H.; Hayes, C. A.; Porter, B. E. Explosives conjugation products in remediation matrices: Final report; U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center: Vicksburg, MS., 1999. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trserdp99-4.pdf Thorn, K. A.; Pennington, J. C.; Hayes, C. A. 15N NMR Investigation of the Reduction and Binding of TNT in an Aerobic Bench Scale Reactor Simulating Windrow Composting. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 3797-3805. On-line Abstract Link Thorn, K. A.; Kennedy, K. R. 15N NMR Investigation of the Covalent Binding of Reduced TNT Amines to Soil Humic Acid, Model Compounds, and Lignocellulose. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 3787-3796. On-line Abstract Link Pennington, J. C.; Thorn, K. A.; Hayes, C. A.; Porter, B. E.; Kennedy, K. R. “Immobilization of 2,4- and 2,6-Dinitrotoluenes in Soils and Compost,” ERDC/EL TR-03-2, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 2003. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trel03-2.pdf Pennington, J. C.; Thorn, K. A.; Cox, L.G.; MacMillan, D. K.;Yost, S.; Laubscher, R. D. “Photochemical Degradation of Composition B and Its Components” ERDC/EL TR-07-16, US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, 2007. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trel07-16.pdf Thorn, K. A.; Pennington, J. C.; Kennedy, K. R.; Cox, L. G.; Porter,Hayes; C. A.; B. E. 15N NMR Study of the immobilization of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene in Aerobic Compost. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 2542-2550. On-line Abstract Link Weiss, J. M.; McKay, A. J.; DeRito, C.; Watanabe, C.; Thorn, K. A.; Madsen, E. L., Development and Application of Pyrolysis-gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Bound 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Residues in Soil. Environ. Sci. Technol. 38, 2167-2174. Link Thorn, K. A.; Thorne, P. G.; Cox, L. G., Alkaline Hydrolysis/Polymerization of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene: Characterization of Products by 13C and 15N NMR. Environ. Sci. Technol. 38, 2224-2231. Link |
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Kevin A. Thorn, Research Chemist U.S. Geological Survey P.O. Box 25046 National Water Quality Laboratory Center Avenue and 10th Street Bldg. 95, M.S. 408, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO. 80225-0046 Tel. 303-236-3979, Fax 303-236-3934 kathorn@usgs.gov |
Larry G. Cox, Chemist Contract Employee P.O. Box 25046 National Water Quality Laboratory Center Avenue and 10th Street Bldg. 95, M.S. 408, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO. 80225-0046 Tel. 303-236-3968, Fax 303-236-3934 lgcox@usgs.gov |
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