Sources of polar/water-soluble organic compounds conjunctly with apolar biomarkers were characterized in natural organic matter. This multi-biomarker approach was accomplished by a simple analytical method consisting of extraction with dichloromethane:methanol (2:1, v/v), silylation and analysis by gaschromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Polar and apolar biomarkers, derived mainly from higher plants and...