title: Characterisation and quantification of organic phosphorus and organic nitrogen components in aquatic systems: a review.
abstract: This review provides a critical assessment of knowledge regarding the determination of organic phosphorus (OP) and organic nitrogen (ON) in aquatic systems, with an emphasis on biogeochemical considerations and analytical challenges. A general background on organic phosphorus and organic nitrogen precedes a discussion of sample collection, extraction, treatment/conditioning and preconcentration of organic phosphorus/nitrogen from sediments, including suspended particulate matter, and waters, including sediment porewaters. This is followed by sections on the determination of organic phosphorus/nitrogen components. Key techniques covered for organic phosphorus components are molecular spectrometry, atomic spectrometry and enzymatic methods. For nitrogen the focus is on the measurement of total organic nitrogen concentrations by carbon hydrogen nitrogen analysis and high temperature combustion, and organic nitrogen components by gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, X-ray techniques and enzymatic methods. Finally future trends and needs are discussed and recommendations made.
authors.affiliation: School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL48AA, UK. pworsfold@plymouth.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Worsfold
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monbet
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Tappin
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fitzsimons
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: McKelvie
mesh_terms: D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods; D002845:Chromatography; D017753:Ecosystem; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
chemical_list: D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D009584:Nitrogen