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658730 
Journal Article 
Natural formation of chloroform and brominated trihalomethanes in soil 
Hoekstra, EJ; De Leer, EW; Brinkman, UAT 
1998 
1 
Environmental Science & Technology
ISSN: 0013-936X
EISSN: 1520-5851 
32 
23 
3724-3729 
English 
WOS:000077282500031 
BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. We studied the occurrence of halogenated organic compounds in soil air of rural areas. Chloroform appeared to occur in elevated concentrations compared to those in atmospheric air, while the concentrations of other chlorinated solvents were almost equal or lower than those in atmospheric air. We report conclusive evidence that chloroform is naturally produced from in situ Na37Cl enrichment field studies in soil top layers. The concentration of chloroform in soil air increased in deeper soil laye oncentrations of chlorodibromomethane and bromoform in soil air were observed. In situ enrichment of a soil top layer by KBr showed that soil has the potential to form chlorodibromomethane and bromoform naturally. The formation mechanisms of the trihalomethanes are discussed, and a hypothesis is given to explain the natural formation in the soil top layer and the concentration gradients in soil air. 
Ecology;Biochemistry;Biophysics;Environmental pollutants poisoning;Occupational diseases;Air pollution;Soil pollutants;Water pollution;Methods;Plants;Soil;124-48-1;75-27-4;75-25-2;71-55-6;67-66-3