Within the framework of the multi-disciplinary program Seine Aval, phenolic compounds obtained by CuO oxidation have been studied since 1995. Quantitative analyses have shown a terrestrial contribution in flood, characterized by compounds of the group P (polyols + phenol), S (syringic) and H (hydroxybenzoic). During the low water period, phenolic compounds allow a clear distinction between fluvial and estuarine suspended material. Fluvial run-off contained Syringic, Hydroxybenzoic and Vanillic phenols. In contrast, upstream penetrating marine and estuarine waters are characterized by cinnamic phenols originating from estuarine herbus. In the turbidity maximum zone, aerobic degradation of lignin material increases the (vanillic acid/vanillin) ratio. |