[Trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) of soils in Guangdong Province]

Trihalomethane formation potentials were analyzed with the lixivia of typical soil samples in Guangdong Province. The results showed that the bulk THMFP contents of soil lixivia (b-THMFP) range from 0.7 to 36.8 micrograms/g with a median value of 10.6 micrograms/g, and the THMFP contents of 0.45 micron filtered soil lixivia, representing the THMFP contents of dissolved organic matter (d-THMFP), from 0.5 to 21.2 micrograms/g with a median value of 3.9 micrograms/g. Sample 19 (Calcareous soil) had the highest b-THMFP and d-THMFP while sample 20 (Purple soil) had the lowest b-THMFP and sample 5 (Latored soil) had the lowest d-THMFP. In general, suspended organic matter had great contribution to the THMFP. The physico-chemical properties, such as organic matter contents and contents of various oxides, as well as soil genetic horizon and vegetation are main factors dominating the THMFP levels in the soil.