Alluvial gold in Kalimantan, Indonesia: A colloidal origin?

Extensive placer gold deposits occur in Quaternary palaeochannels in the Ampalit and Cempaga Buang drainage basins near Kasongan, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Broad interfluvial Pleistocene terraces surrounding the drainages also contain significant amounts of placer gold. The “channel” and “terrace” gold deposits together cover an area in excess of 180 km².Exploration for gold at Ampalit followed traditional alluvial methods, and assumed that mechanical and gravitational factors were the principal mechanisms affecting gold accumulation and concentration. Gold was considered to be physically reworked from terraces and redeposited in the present drainage channels or underlying, laterally displaced, palaeochannels. However, a comparison of gold grains from the Ampalit drainage channel and adjacent terraces indicates that gold grains in the drainage channels are possibly of colloidal origin and not mechanically transported to their present domain.The morphology of gold grains from the Ampalit drainage is compared with grains from adjacent terraces, using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The latter procedure allows for nondestructive analysis to give true three dimensional surface topography down to nanometre resolution. Evidence from force microscopy supports a colloidal origin for gold aggregates.The average purity of gold produced from the Ampalit dredging operation is 970 fine (970/1000) and the majority of examined gold grains extracted from beneath the drainage channel have a purity of 998 fine. This unusually high degree of purity suggests a selective dissolution/aggregation mechanism. We propose that gold is transported downward and laterally in groundwater percolating through the terrace sands and gravels to the current drainage as a humic acid-stabilised colloid. As the pregnant groundwater migrates toward the present drainage channels, it encounters a sleep chemical gradient and the colloid aggregates. The aggregation process occurs near clay zones within palaeochannel sands and gravels beneath the present river sediments. Here the colloidal aggregates form small grains (usually <1 mm) of extremely high purity.Today, the inherently unstable gold deposits at Ampalit are in a state of both aggregation and dissolution. Identification of low energy zones, location of point bar lags in palaeo and recent drainage channels, and the extrapolation of areas of low energy are not solely valid as exploration guides for gold accumulation in this environment. Exploration methods that also recognise ground water migration and composition, and the geochemical controls of dissolution and aggregation, will improve the ability to identify ore accumulations, thus contributing to improved economics of mining these deposits.     

胶体颗粒在潜流带中沉积过程及机制

潜流带是河流地表水和地下水交混区域,是河流中重要的物质能量交换和水生生物栖息的场所,而胶体颗粒在潜流带中沉积,会改变潜流带中的水动力结构和生态环境。本文利用室内循环水槽实验和多物理场耦合的数值模拟方法,旨在研究胶体颗粒在河流上覆水与潜流带中的迁移过程和胶体颗粒在潜流带中沉积分布特征及其对不同因素的响应规律。结果表明:河流上覆水中胶体会逐渐被河床截留且截留胶体集中于河床浅层;沙波水平方向截留量呈现出迎水面较高、背水面较低的趋势;胶体在潜流带沉积的主要机制是潜流交换、颗粒沉降与河床截留作用。本文能为胶体颗粒在潜流带中的生态环境作用研究提供科学依据,并为河流生态环境修复、河流健康管理提供理论支持。     

Distribution of colloidal trace metals in the San Francisco Bay estuary

The size distribution of trace metals (Al, Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn) was examined in surface waters of the San Francisco Bay estuary. Water samples were collected in January 1994 across the whole salinity gradient and fractionated into total dissolved (<0.2 μm colloidal (10 KDa–0.2 μm) and < 10 kDa molecular weight phases. In the low salinity region of the estuary, concentrations of colloidal A1, Ag, and Fe accounted for ≥84% of the total dissolved fraction, and colloidal Cu and Mn accounted for 16–20% of the total. At high salinities, while colloidal Fe was still relatively high (40% of the dissolved), very little colloidal Al, Mn, and Cu (<10%) and no colloidal Ag was detectable. Colloidal Zn accounted for <3% of the total dissolved along the estuary, and colloidal Ni was only detectable (<2%) at the river endmember. All of the total dissolved Cd and Sr throughout the estuary consisted of relatively low molecular weight (<10 kDa) species. The relative affinity of metals for humic substances and their reactivity with particle surfaces appear to determine the amounts of metal associated with colloids. The mixing behavior of metals along the estuary appears to be determined by the relative contribution of the colloidal phase to the total dissolved pool. Metals with a small or undetectable colloidal fraction showed a nonconservative excess (Cd, Cu, Ni, and Mn) or conservative mixing (Sr) in the total dissolved fraction, relative to ideal dilution of river water and seawater along the estuary.

The salt-induced coagulation of colloidal A1, Fe, and Cu is indicated by their highly nonconservative removal along the salinity gradient. However, colloidal metals with low affinity for humic substances (Mn and Zn) showed conservative mixing behavior, indicating that some riverine colloids are not effectively aggregated during their transport to the sea. While colloidal metal concentrations correlated with dissolved organic carbon, they also covaried with colloidal Al, suggesting that colloids are a mixture of organic and inorganic components. Furthermore, the similarity between the colloidal metal:A1 ratios with the crustal ratios indicated that colloids could be the product of weathering processes or particle resuspension. Distribution coefficients for colloidal particles (K_c) and for large, filter-retained particles (K_d) were of the same magnitude, suggesting similar binding strength for the two types of particles. Also, the dependence of the distribution coefficients on the amount of suspended particulate matter (the so-called particle concentration effect) was still evident for the colloids-corrected distribution coefficient (K_p+c) and for metals (e.g., Ni) without affinity for colloidal particles.     

Temporal variations of colloidal carrier phases and associated trace elements in a boreal river

Elemental size distributions, from truly dissolved through colloidal to particulate, have been studied in a subarctic boreal river. The measurements, carried out during 2002, ranged from winter to summer conditions, including an intense spring flood event. Results are reported for a total of 42 elements. Size distributions were characterised using a combination of cross-flow (ultra)filtration (CFF), flow field-flow fractionation (FlFFF), and diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT). The three techniques showed similar trends, but quantitative comparisons reveal some important differences that warrant further investigation.Previous work has identified two colloidal carrier phases in fresh waters, dominated by iron and carbon, respectively. The majority of the elements studied are associated with one or both of these colloidal carrier phases. The exceptions are the alkali metals and several anions that are only very weakly associated with colloidal material, and which therefore occur mainly as truly dissolved material (<1 kDa in molecular weight). We discuss the likely origin for the two colloidal carrier phases and consider how associated trace elements fit into the geochemical framework. The relative affinities of the elements for iron and carbon colloidal carrier phases are related to their chemistries, and are compared with earlier data from the Delsjö Creek in southern Sweden.Elemental colloidal concentrations show strong seasonal variations related to changes in the colloidal carrier phase(s) with which they associate. In particular, many elements show a strong spring maximum in colloidal concentrations associated with the strong maximum in colloidal carbon concentration during the spring flood.     

Association of calcium with colloidal particles and speciation of calcium in the Kalix and Amazon rivers

A considerable amount of colloidally bound Ca has been detected in water samples from Amazonian rivers and the Kalix River, a sub-arctic boreal river. Fractionation experiments using several analytical techniques and processing tools were conducted in order to elucidate the matter. Results show that on average 84% of the total Ca concentration is present as free Ca. Particulate, colloidal and complexed Ca constitute the remaining 16%, of which the colloidal fraction is significant. Ultrafiltration experiments show that the colloidal fraction in the sampled Amazonian rivers and the Kalix River range between 1% and 25%.In both the Amazonian and the Kalix rivers the technique of cross-flow ultrafiltration was used to isolate particles and colloids. The difference in concentration measured with ICP-AES and a Ca ion-selective electrode in identical samples was used to define the free Ca concentration and thus indirectly the magnitude of the particulate, colloidal and complexed fractions. Results from the Kalix and Amazonian rivers are in excellent agreement. Furthermore, the results show that the colloidal concentrations of Ca can be greatly overestimated (up to 227%) when conventional analysis and calculation of ultrafiltration data is used due to retention of free Ca ions during the ultrafiltration process. Calculation methods for colloidal matter are presented in this work, using complementary data from ISE analysis.In the Kalix River temporal changes in the fractionation of Ca were studied before, during and after a spring-flood event. Changes in the size distribution of colloidally associated Ca was studied using FlFFF (Flow Field-Flow Fractionation) coupled on-line to a HR ICP-MS. The FlFFF-HR ICP-MS fractograms clearly show the colloidal component of Ca, supporting the ultrafiltration findings. During winter conditions the size distribution of colloidally associated Ca has a concentration maximum at ∼5 to 10 nm in diameter, shifting to smaller sizes (<5 nm) during and after the spring flood. This shift in size distribution follows a change in the river during this period from ironoxyhydroxy colloids being the most important colloidal carrier phase to humic substances during and after the spring flood.WHAM and NICA-Donnan models were used to calculate the amount of colloidally bound Ca. The results similar for both models, show that on average 16% of the Ca may be associated to a colloidal phase, which is in broad agreement with the measurements.     

Model of colloidal transportation of radionuclides by groundwater

The transportation of colloidal radionuclides by groundwater was subject to theoretical analysis. The far field of radioactive contamination of the underground environment (liquid waste pumping sites or storage of solidified waste) is dominated by pseudocolloids, i.e., colloidal particles of natural origin contaminated with radionuclides upon contact of groundwater with radioactive materials. Properties of real pseudocolloids were analyzed at sites of radioactive contamination of the underground environment. Based on a probabilistic approach, we developed a mathematical model of pseudocolloid transportation by groundwater, taking into account the difference in size of colloidal particles and the occurrence of nonradioactive natural particles with a similar composition in the groundwater. It is proved that nonuniform dimensions of the particles considerably affect the water transportation rate.     

Modified column flotation of adsorbing iron hydroxide colloidal precipitates

A promising technique for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater streams involved firstly the ions adsorption on a colloidal precipitate (carrier) and then the separation of the loaded flocs (coagula) by a modified column flotation. Here, the effluent feed and the carrier (ferric hydroxide) enter smoothly by the top of the column through a special diffuser, in counter current with rising bubbles (100–600 μm diameter) generated by using recycled water, surfactant and air suction through a venturi. High separation values of the column flotation of the carrier precipitates were achieved, despite the high superficial flow rate and the high Fe^+ 3 concentration utilized (> 60 mg L^− 1 Fe). No rupture of colloidal carrier aggregates was observed and a low split was ensured by monitoring the concentrate (floated product) flow rate. Results indicated that best separation was attained by controlling the medium pH (for best heavy metal ion adsorption onto the carrier), followed by sodium oleate, used as “collector” and optimizing operating parameters (conditioning, flow rates, etc.). The column throughput reached 43 m h^− 1 (m³ m^− 2 h^− 1), which is about 4 times the normal capacity of DAF-dissolved air flotation unit, the most used floater in wastewater treatment. Various metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, etc.) and molybdate ions present in synthetic and real effluent were successfully removed based on this colloidal adsorbing flotation principle. The process was also applied in a pilot scale to treat an industrial electroplating wastewater. Most of toxic metals (Cu, Ni and Zn) were reduced from initial concentrations of about of 2 to 10 mg L^− 1, to below 0.5 to 1.0 mg L^− 1, meeting local municipal discharge limits (but Cd ions). It is believed that flotation separation using medium-sized bubbles has great potential as a clean water and wastewater treatment technology.     

Analysis of colloidal transfer of strontium-90 with groundwater

The colloidal fractions of various particle sizes were separated from the samples of groundwater in the area of radioactive contamination nearby Obninsk (Kaluga region, Russia). The primary component of the radioactive contamination is ⁹⁰Sr isotope. The colloidal particles were separated from the samples of groundwater by means of ultrafiltration through membranes of 200, 100, and 25 nm pore sizes. The chemical composition of particle surfaces in each of the fractions was determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The structure of particles was determined by the changes in the surface composition after the removal of outer layers of particles by etching with argon ions to a depth of 100 Å. It was found that the particles are constituted by inorganic cores mainly of montmorillonite and iron metahydroxide and a broken covering of humic acids. It was shown that about 50% of ⁹⁰Sr is transferred by groundwater with colloidal particles of over 25 nm in size.     

Topical issues of the theory of gold deposit formation

The issues of the theory of gold deposit formation are considered. These issues were crucial in the works by N.V. Petrovskaya. The systematics of gold deposits based on stable mineral assemblages and mineral and geochemical types of ores and their families characteristic of certain groups of gold deposits is consonant with contemporary analogue classifications of ore deposits, which, however, require improvement by means of developing their genetic version. Petrovskaya’s proposed subdivision of gold deposits into families distinguished by depth of their formation is such a version, because in Petrovskaya’s understanding, the factor of depth integrates genetic features of deposits formed at shallow, medium, and great depths. According to recent data, the depth interval of localization of ore deposits is estimated at 15–20 km instead of 6–10 km suggested earlier; thus, the intervals of medium and great depths increase. Attention is called to the Petrovskaya’s ideas of stadial progressive development of ore formation with change in pyrite-arsenopyrite mineralization by base-metal and telluride mineralization along with advanced and concomitant deposition of quartz. The stadial formation of shallow-seated deposits and colloidal mineral formation therein, as well as the concept of gel metasomatism and mechanisms of accompanying destruction of preceding mineral assemblages developed by Petrovskaya, are considered and their implications are illustrated by specific deposits. Petrovskaya’s views on sources of ore matter and the polygenetic character of gold and Au-bearing deposits are discussed.     

Composition of estuarine colloidal material: major and trace elements

Colloidal-sized material from the Patuxent River estuary, Maryland, was analyzed for more than 30 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Sample data from stations ranging in salinity from 0.04 g/kg to 12 g/kg indicate that the winter colloidal material is dominated upstream by poorly crystallized clay minerals and iron oxide, but above a salinity of 10 g/kg, it consists primarily of carbonaceous material. Winter colloidal material decreases non-conservatively seaward from 29 to 0.6 mg/l. The summer colloidal material, however, is carbon-rich throughout the estuary and the amount of colloidal material in the upper water column does not change appreciably with increasing salinity. Many trace elements (Cs, Hf, Rb, Se, Th, V and the REE) covary with Al and probably are associated with the clay component. Other elements (As, Ba, Sb, Se, U and Zn) are considerably enriched relative to Al and may covary with the organic component. The results suggest that the freshwater winter colloidal system is a product of continental weathering processes, whereas the summer colloidal material is derived primarily from estuarine biological processes.     

Incorporation of trivalent chromium into riverine and estuarine colloidal material

The binding of dissolved trivalent chromium by dissolved and colloidal substrates at the riverestuary interface was studied using a combination of product and reactant mode experiments, at concentrations of materials typical of estuarine conditions. Using spikes of 1–20 μg/l Cr³⁺, about one third of the Cr³⁺ was scavenged by that fraction of riverine colloidal material which flocculated upon mixing of river water and seawater. Reactant mode experiments, using chemiluminescence as a speciation technique, showed that virtually all of the spiked Cr³⁺ was bound by dissolved or colloidal substrates, but that the higher molecular weight fractions were able to kinetically outcompete the lower molecular weight fractions. There was no effect of salinity or the flocculation process on the binding of Cr by riverine substrates at natural concentrations. However, salinity did produce a strong kinetic inhibition of binding if the river water was first diluted. This salinity response is likely a result of a wide variety of Cr binding site energies on the substrates.     

Column experiments to investigate transport of colloidal humic acid through porous media during managed aquifer recharge

Colloids act as vectors for pollutants in groundwater, thereby creating a series of environmental problems. While managed aquifer recharge plays an important role in protecting groundwater resources and controlling land subsidence, it has a significant effect on the transport of colloids. In this study, particle size and zeta potential of colloidal humic acid (HA) have been measured to determine the effects of different hydrochemistry conditions. Column experiments were conducted to examine the effects on the transport of colloidal HA under varying conditions of pH (5, 7, 9), ionic strength (<0.0005, 0.02, 0.05 M), cation valence (Na⁺, Ca²⁺) and flow rate (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 ml/min) through collectors (glass beads) to model the properties and quality of artificial recharge water and changes in the hydrodynamic field. Breakthrough curves showed that the behavior of colloidal HA being transported varied depending on the conditions. Colloid transport was strongly influenced by hydrochemical and hydrodynamic conditions. With decreasing pH or increasing ionic strength, a decrease in the peak effluent concentration of colloidal HA and increase in deposition could be clearly seen. Comparison of different cation valence tests indicated that changes in transport and deposition were more pronounced with divalent Ca²⁺ than with monovalent Na⁺. Changes in hydrodynamic field (flow rate) also had an impact on transportation of colloidal HA. The results of this study highlight the need for further research in this area.     

The influence of colloidal material on aluminium speciation and estimated acid neutralising capacity (ANC)

Cationic Al species (Al_i) cause toxic effects towards fish in acidified water. As several factors can influence the Al_i-speciation, acid neutralising capacity (ANC) has been applied as an alternative indicator for acidification and effects towards fish. However, the critical range of ANC for biological stress has been shown to be dependent upon the concentration of organic material (DOC). Using in situ size fractionation techniques the influence of particulate and colloidal DOC (0–400 μM) on Al_i-speciation and ANC-values was investigated in Norwegian streams. During high flow events with high river transport of DOC the Al_i concentration increased by a factor of 2 due to retention of colloidal Al species (>10 kDa), probably organic, in the chromatography column. Ultrafiltration (?10 kDa) of water prior to chromatography reduced the influence of non-toxic organic Al-species, on Al_i-speciation. The charge balanced ANC-values (ANC_cb) were also significantly lower (on average 34 μeq L⁻¹) in ultrafiltered water compared to unfiltered water samples, as base cations were associated with colloidal DOC (>10 kDa to 0.45 μm) and organic acids were not incorporated in the ANC_cb estimate. Thus, ANC_cb will underestimate the acidification effects towards fish in organic waters increasing with concentration of colloidal DOC present. Alkalinity based ANC-values (ANC_alk), which include a fraction of organic acids, were similar in unfiltered and ultrafiltered waters, but higher than ANC_cb-values of ultrafiltered samples. Thus, ANC_alk-values also underestimate the acidification effects on fish in organic waters. Based on ultrafiltered samples, however, ANC_cb-values was negatively correlated with Al_i independent of the DOC present and thus a more correct indicator for toxic Al-species.     

A new approach to precious metals recovery from brown coals: Correlation of recovery efficacy with the mechanism of metal-humic interactions

The presence of gold and platinum group elements (PGE) in low-rank brown coals around the world has promoted interest in the industrial exploitation of this alternative source of precious metals. However, due to low efficacy of the methods traditionally used for the processing of mineral ores, there exists a high demand for new strategies of precious metal recovery from refractory carbonaceous materials that could significantly increase the economic potential of gold- and PGE-bearing organic resources. Here we discuss the possibility of gold and PGE recovery from alkaline extracts of brown coals using the difference in colloidal stability of bulk organic matter and its fractions enriched with precious metals. This approach enables one to avoid complete oxidation or combustion of brown coals prior to gold recovery, to minimize organic content in gold concentrate, and to obtain a valuable by-product - humic extracts. Using gold-bearing brown coals from several deposits located in the South Far East of Russia, we show that up to 95% of gold can be transferred to alkaline extracts of humic acids (HA) and up to 85% of this gold can be recovered by centrifugation at pH 4.0-6.0, when only 5-15% of HA precipitated simultaneously. We have shown that the high efficacy of gold recovery can be attributed to the occurrence of fine-dispersed elemental gold particles stabilized by HA, which differ significantly in colloidal stability from the bulk organic matter and, thus, can be separated by centrifugation.     

Effect of colloids on transfer of radionuclides by subsurface water

The fluid transfer of radionuclides in the geologic medium is considered under conditions when radionuclides are contained in fluids not only as solutes but also as colloids. The effect of colloidal transport of radionuclides on the rate of spreading of radioactive contamination in an underground medium is estimated, with assessment of this effect in mathematical models describing the transport of radionuclides by subsurface water. For this purpose, the exchange of radionuclides between subsurface water, colloid, and an immobile solid phase is considered, taking into account the precipitation of colloidal particles on both the immobile solid phase and other colloidal particles and their recurrent mobilization into the liquid phase. It is noted that, in real colloidal transfer, the heterogeneity of the geologic medium and colloidal particles in subsurface water is of great importance. The known models of colloidal transfer of radionuclides are evaluated on the basis of the analysis performed.     

大水金矿床金的迁移形式和沉淀机制探讨

基于大水金矿床地质特征和矿物流体包裹体显微测温研究成果,对金在成矿过程中的迁移形式和沉淀机制进行了探讨。研究认为,金矿床在主成矿作用过程中金主要以AuC12-、Au(HS)2-、AuH3SiO40形式迁移,少量以硫络合物、硫氢络合物、胶体溶液、砷络合物(配合物)及地幔流体等形式迁移。推断水—岩反应(尤其是硅化和硫化作用)和以深部流体为主与古大气水的均一化流体的混合作用以及在此过程中的降温减压作用是金沉淀的重要机制。     

Colloidal Stability and Toxicity of Gold Nanoparticles and Gold Chloride on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>

Here we have examined interactions of gold nanoparticles differing in primary particle size and coating with the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as function of the colloidal stability of the particles in the experimental media used for toxicity studies. Interactions of dissolved Au³⁺ ions with algae were also examined. Included endpoints were photosynthetic yield and algal growth. Morphological and structural effects were examined microscopically and by flow cytometry. The results indicate no significant toxicity of gold nanoparticles to C. reinhardtii. Analysis of published data suggests toxicity of gold nanoparticles on algal growth to relate rather to particular coatings than to the gold core.     

Changes in size distribution of fresh water nanoscale colloidal matter and associated elements on mixing with seawater

Changes in size distribution and elemental composition of 0.5-50 nm fresh water colloids during estuarine mixing have been studied by in-laboratory mixing of natural creek water and synthetic seawater, followed by size fractionation with Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation, and online elemental quantification by High-Resolution ICPMS. At least two types of colloids were present in the studied size region; 0.5-3 nm fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM), and >3 nm colloids that were rich in Fe and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). Most trace elements were associated in different proportions to these two populations of colloids. Following mixing with synthetic seawater, the >3 nm Fe-rich colloids and CDOM were extensively removed from the studied size region by salt induced aggregation. The degree of removal with increasing salinity was greatest below 2.5‰ salinity, continued to a lesser degree between 2.5‰ and 15‰ salinity, above which only very small additional removal could be distinguished. At 25‰ salinity, the Fe concentration in the 0.5-50 size region had been reduced down to 15% of its original value in freshwater, while the amount of CDOM had been reduced to 55%. On the contrary, the concentration of the 0.5-3 nm FDOM was unchanged by the increased concentration of sea salt. Therefore, colloidally associated Al, P, Co, Cu, Zn, Ce, Lu and Pb were removed from the 0.5-50 nm size region according to their relative distributions between the FDOM and the Fe-rich colloids. Consequently, at 25‰ salinity, the 0.5-50 nm concentrations of Al, Mn, P and Pb, (mainly associated with the Fe-rich colloids) had been reduced down to 13-26 % of their values in freshwater, while the concentrations of Co and Cu (with higher preferences for FDOM) were less reduced, down to 46% and 57%, respectively. Changes in the elemental composition of the remaining colloidal matter were observed, the most pronounced were increased contents of P, Al and Pb in Fe-rich colloidal matter of medium size (∼3-15 nm) and increased Pb content in Fe-rich colloidal matter of larger size (∼5-50 nm).     

微细粒金在碳质体中的赋存特征

本文利用ＥＰＭＡ和ＡＥＭ对预先富集的碳质体中的微细粒金的赋存状态进行了研究，结果表明金均以偏小的高成色金胶粒被非晶态的碳质体吸附、包裹乃至碳质与之形成碳壳。由研究结果认为：①碳质中金可能析出于胶体凝聚作用；②应该注意有机质以机械方式搬运金粒的可能性；③碳质包裹金粒及在金粒表面形成碳壳是碳质体与金紧密结合的表现形式。     

Composition of estuarine colloidal material: organic components

Colloidal material in the size range 1.2 nm to 0.4 μm was isolated by ultrafiltration from Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River waters (U.S.A.). Temperature controlled, stepwise pyrolysis of the freeze-dried material, followed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of the volatile products indicates that the primary organic components of this polymer are carbohydrates and peptides. The major pyrolysis products at the 450°C step are acetic acid, furaldehydes, furoic acid, furanmethanol, diones and lactones characteristic of carbohydrate thermal decomposition. Pyrroles, pyridines, amides and indole (protein derivatives) become more prevalent and dominate the product yield at the 600°C pyrolysis step. Olefins and saturated hydrocarbons, originating from fatty acids, are present only in minor amounts. These results are consistent with the composition of Chesapeake phytoplankton (approximately 50% protein, 30% carbohydrate, 10% lipid and 10% nucleotides by dry weight). The pyrolysis of a cultured phytoplankton and natural particulate samples produced similar oxygen and nitrogencontaining compounds, although the proportions of some components differ relative to the colloidal fraction. There were no lignin derivatives indicative of terrestrial plant detritus in any of these samples. The data suggest that aquatic microorganisms, rather than terrestrial plants, are the dominant source of colloidal organic material in these river and estuarine surface waters.