Abstract: The complexation of the elements P, S, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Hg, Pb, Cd and As with different molecular size fractions of dissolved organic matter in one river water sample and two sea water samples were investigated by coupling size-exclusion chromatography sequentially with UV-Vis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detectors. It can provide quantitative information regarding the distribution of both DOM and its element-bound complexes. This information would be helpful in understanding of the speciation, mobility and bio-accessibility of elements in the environment and further elucidation of the dissolved organic matter structure.

Key words: Dissolved organic matter(DOM), Elemental species, Hyphenated technique