Molecular characterization of DOM: A full-scale case study of an advanced DWTP from Jintan, China

Abstract

Since the variation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is complicated in the aquatic environment and water treatment processes, adverse effects on human and water quality may be triggered. Nowadays, more drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) begin using pretreatment and advanced treatment processes for removing refractory DOM to pursue high-quality drinking water, including preozonation, and combined ozonation and biological activated carbon (BAC) treatment. The combination of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer and fluorescence spectroscopy could comprehensively unveil the DOM composition and characteristics in water treatments. This study aims to provide information on the molecular and spectroscopic characteristics of DOM in a DWTP with pretreatments and advanced treatment processes and summarize the removal efficiency of different treatment processes on DOM. Results showed that the removal rate of low-molecular-weight acids (LMW-acids) by BAC was as high as 98 %, reflecting the synergistic effect of ozonation/BAC unit. Pre-ozonation enhanced coagulation process had a good removal effect on CHONS. The diversity of DOM increased and the relative abundance of DOM intensity was reduced in preozonation/coagulation/sedimentation and O3/BAC units. The preozonation-coagulation/sedimentation unit reduced the aromaticity or unsaturation of DOM while the advanced treatment process had a higher removal rate of fluorescent components.