Kevin Thorn

Research Chemist

Short Biography

Bowdoin College             B.A.

University of Arizona       M.S., Ph.D.

Research Chemist, National Research Program, Water Resources Discipline

Publications

Thorn, K.A., Younger, S.J., and Cox, L.G., Order of Functionality Loss during Photodegradation of aquatic Humic Substances, J. Environ. Qual., 2010, 39, 1416-1428.

edited by Schroeder, Roy A., 2003. Water-quality changes and organic-carbon characterization during recharge with recycled water at a research basin in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles County, California, 1991-1996. Water-Resources Investigations Report 2003-4146, 260 p. [Link]

edited by Averett, R. C.; Leenheer, J. A.; McKnight, D. M.; Thorn, K. A., 1989. Humic substances in the Suwannee River, Georgia; interactions, properties, and proposed structures. U.S. Geological Survey ; Books and Open-File Reports Section [distributor], Open-File Report 87-557, xii, 377 p. :ill., col. map ;28 cm.

Thorn, Kevin A.; Folan, Daniel W.; MacCarthy, Patrick, 1989. Characterization of the International Humic Substances Society standard and reference fulvic and humic acids by solution state carbon-13 (13C) and hydrogen-1 (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey : Books and Open-File Reports Section [distributor], Water-Resources Investigations Report 89-4196, v, 93 p. :ill. ;28 cm.

Selected Publications

Thorn, K.A.; Cox, L.G.  N-15 NMR spectra of naturally abundant nitrogen in soil and aquatic natural organic matter samples of the International Humic Substances Society. Organic Geochemistry, 2009, 40, 484-499.

Thorn, K. A. Reduction and Incorporation of Nitrate Nitrogen into Aquatic NOM Upon UV Irradiation Examined by ¹⁵N NMR, Division of Environmental Chemistry Preprints of Papers, 223rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Orlando, FL; American Chemical Society; 2002, Vol. 42(1), p 537-542.

Osburn, C. L.; Morris, D. P.; Thorn, K. A.; Moeller, R. E. Chemical and optical changes in freshwater dissolved organic matter exposed to solar radiation. Biogeochemistry 2001, 54, 251-278.

Thorn, K. A.; Mikita, M. A. Nitrite fixation by humic substances: ¹⁵N Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Evidence for Potential Intermediates in Chemodenitrification. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 2000, 64, 568-582.

Thorn, K. A.; Aiken, G. R. Biodegradation of Crude Oil into Nonvolatile Organic Acids in a Contaminated Aquifer Near Bemidji, Minnesota. Organic Geochemistry, 1998, 29, 909-931.

Aromatic Amines and Explosives Remediation

Weber, E. J.; Spidle, D. J.; Thorn, K. A. Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances. 1. Kinetic Studies. Environ. Sci. & Technol. 1996, 30, 2755-2763.

Thorn, K. A.; Pettigrew, P. J.; Goldenberg, W. S.; Weber,E. J. Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances. 2. ¹⁵N NMR Studies of Nucleophilic Addition Reactions. Environ. Sci. & Technol. 1996, 30, 2764-2775.

Thorn, K. A.; Goldenberg, W. S.; Younger, S. J.; Weber, E. J. Covalent Binding of Aniline to Humic Substances: Comparison of Nucleophilic Addition, Enzyme-, and Metal-Catalyzed Reactions by ¹⁵N NMR. In Humic and Fulvic Acids: Isolation, Structure, and Environmental Role; J. S. Gaffney; N. A. Marley and S. B. Clark, Eds.; American Chemical Society, 1996a; pp 299-326.

Pennington, J. C., Thorn, K. A., Gunnison, D., McFarland, V. A., Thorne, P. G., Inouye, L. S., Fredrickson, H., Leggett, D. C., Ringleberg, D., Jarvis, A. S., Felt, D. R., Lutz, C. H., Hayes, C. A., Clark, J. U., Richmond, M., O'Neal, B., and Porter, B. E. (1998). "Explosives conjugation products in remediation matrices: Interim Report 2," Technical Report SERDP-98-12, U.S.Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trserdp98-12.pdf

Pennington, J. C.; Thorn, K. A.; Inouye, L. S.; McFarland, V. A.; Jarvis, A. S.; Lutz, C. H.; Hayes, C. A.; Porter, B. E. Explosives conjugation products in remediation matrices: Final report; U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center: Vicksburg, MS., 1999. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trserdp99-4.pdf

Thorn, K. A.; Kennedy, K. R. ¹⁵N NMR Investigation of the Covalent Binding of Reduced TNT Amines to Soil Humic Acid, Model Compounds, and Lignocellulose. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 3787-3796.

Thorn, K. A.; Pennington, J. C.; Hayes, C. A. ¹⁵N NMR Investigation of the Reduction and Binding of TNT in an Aerobic Bench Scale Reactor Simulating Windrow Composting. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 3797-3805.   

Pennington, J. C.; Thorn, K. A.; Hayes, C. A.; Porter, B. E.; Kennedy, K. R. “Immobilization of 2,4- and 2,6-Dinitrotoluenes in Soils and Compost,” ERDC/EL TR-03-2, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 2003. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trel03-2.pdf

Pennington, J. C.; Thorn, K. A.; Cox, L.G.; MacMillan, D. K.;Yost, S.; Laubscher, R. D. “Photochemical Degradation of Composition B and Its Components” ERDC/EL TR-07-16, US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, 2007. http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/trel07-16.pdf

Thorn, K. A.; Pennington, J. C.; Kennedy, K. R.; Cox, L. G.; Porter, B. E. ¹⁵N NMR Study of the immobilization of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene in Aerobic Compost. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 2542-2550.  

My Science Topics

My USGS Science Strategy Areas

Research Areas:

Application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Environmental Chemistry, Organic Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry.

Structure and Reactivity of Natural Organic Matter in Soil and Water.

Environmental Chemistry and Remediation of Explosives, Including TNT.

Crude Oil Biodegradation.

Soil Aquifer Treatment of Wastewater.

NMR Characterization of Fossil Fuels.

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