Trihalomethane formation potential of aquatic and terrestrial fulvic and humic acids: examining correlation between specific trihalomethane formation potential and specific ultraviolet absorbance

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Y. Z. Abouleish ◽  
Martha J. M. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Humic Acid ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Humic Substance ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Formation Potential ◽  
Ultraviolet Absorbance ◽  
Trihalomethane Formation Potential ◽  
Suwannee River ◽  
By Products

Environmental context When surface water is disinfected to produce potable drinking water, toxic by-products are generated by reaction with naturally occurring organic matter. The production of trihalomethane disinfection by-products was investigated for different types of well-characterised organic matter from various geographic locations. Increased understanding of the character of organic matter dissolved in water is needed for improving the ability to provide safe water and protect public health. Abstract Trihalomethanes (THMs) – a class of disinfection by-products (DBPs) including chloroform – are produced when natural water is chlorinated. Many THMs are believed to result from the reaction of chlorine with the aromatic structures in humic substances, which can be represented by ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UVA). However, in the literature, plots of the specific, or carbon-normalised, UVA (SUVA) compared with the specific, or carbon-normalised, trihalomethane formation potential, THMFP (STHMFP) are poorly correlated. Therefore, well characterised samples of organic matter were obtained from the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) to study the effect of type (fulvic acid, FA; humic acid, HA), origin (aquatic, terrestrial), geographical source (Nordic, Suwannee River, peat, soil) and pH (6, 9) on the formation of trihalomethanes. In this research, parameters expressed on a weight-average moles-of-humic substance basis were compared with those on a mass-of-carbon basis. Using factorial analysis, SUVA was statistically described by the main effect type (P = 0.0044), whereas STHMFP was statistically described by the main effects type (P = 0.0078) and origin (P = 0.0210). Separate relationships between SUVA and STHMFP normalised to moles of humic substance were defined for aquatic substances (R2 = 0.9948) and for terrestrial substances (R2 = 0.9512). The occurrence of aquatically derived fulvic-like humic acid (Suwannee River humic acid) and aquatically derived terrestrial-like humic acid (Nordic humic acid) were observed. Some aquatic substances were capable of generating levels of THMs per mole of humic substance that were greater than or equal to the most reactive terrestrial humic acid.

Using HPSEC to identify NOM fraction removal and the correlation with disinfection by-product precursors

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Euis Nurul Hidayah ◽  
Yung-Chen Chou ◽  
Hsuan-Hsien Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Humic Substances ◽  
Natural Organic Matter ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Haloacetic Acids ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Formation Potential ◽  
Trihalomethane Formation Potential ◽  
Exclusion Chromatography ◽  
Alum Coagulation ◽  
Aliphatic Biopolymer

In this study high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was used to compare an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane and alum coagulation for their capacity to remove different fractions of natural organic matter (NOM) from water. At the same time, the removal of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors, as measured by trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) and haloacetic acid formation potential (HAAFP), was also detected. The results show that the UF membrane mainly removed the aliphatic biopolymer fraction, while alum coagulation mainly removed the humic substances fraction. The results of DBP precursor analysis show that more THMFP was removed by the UF membrane than HAAFP, while the reverse was true for alum coagulation. It is conjectured that the aliphatic biopolymer fraction is the major precursor for trihalomethanes (THMs), while the humic substances fraction is the major precursor for haloacetic acids (HAAs).

Soil Augmentation by Humus: Replenishing lost soils and supplementing new ones

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemlata Bagla ◽  
Asma Khan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Humic Acid ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Saline Stress ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Growth Phenomenon

<p>Earth’s regolith consists of a vital component that is lacking on other planets ­­– the pedosphere or soil body – that is rich in organic matter, soil fauna, minerals, water, gases, that together support life and is thus essential for plant growth. In stark contrast to our blue planet, Martian regolith is devoid of organic matter and contains crushed volcanic rocks, with high mineral content and toxic chemicals like perchlorates. Nevertheless, Martian and Lunar regolith simulants formulated by NASA, have been experimented for crop growth by addition of organic matter suitable to bind xenobiotics and provide ample nutrients, as an essential step towards expanding our horizon in the extensive field of soil sciences.</p><p>Soil is an ecosystem as a whole and acts as a modifier of planet Earth’s atmosphere. The organic matter present in it originates mainly from plant metabolites with the onset of senescence and humification. Humic substances thus formed in the pedosphere exhibit exceptional characteristics for soil conditioning. Besides providing nutrients and aeration to the soil, they interact and bind with toxic heavy metals, radionuclides, pesticides, industrial dyes, and other xenobiotics that may be present as pollutants in the ecosystem, thus acting as natural sieves. As top soils have maximum organic matter, essential for plant growth, phenomenon like soil erosion leave the soils devoid of humic substances. Another major reason for soil degradation is excessive salinity, leading to osmotic and ionic stress in plants, eventually reducing their growth. Addition of humic acid in soils provides protection against high saline stress and minimizes yield losses. In India, one of the leading agrarian countries, it is a common practice to enrich soils with manure, which is an inexpensive form of humus-boost for the crops. Such practices aid the cyclic flow of organic matter in the environment, against the background of widespread soil degradation.</p><p>Another global form of soil degradation is radioactive contamination of soils which occurs mainly due to nuclear accidents and improper practices of radioactive waste disposal. In order to explore such interactions with humic acid following Green technique, batch biosorption studies were performed over a range of parameters, with radionuclides Cs and Sr that are found in low level radioactive wastes. Biosorption percentages of 91±2% and 84±1% were obtained for Cs and Sr respectively. The technique is chemical-free and emphasizes the ‘nature for nature’ outlook of solving environmental problems. Humic acid and its various forms thus act as traps for radionuclides and work as excellent restorative soil stimulants that supplement depleted soils, boost plant growth, and play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.</p>

scholarly journals Removal of Trihalomethane Precursors by Nanofiltration in Low-SUVA Drinking Water

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael Dubowski ◽  
Roni Greenberg-Eitan ◽  
Menachem Rebhun
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Natural Organic Matter ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Water Recovery ◽  
Formation Potential ◽  
Pressure Water ◽  
Membrane Type ◽  
Hydrophilic Organic Matter ◽  
By Products

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are prevalent disinfection by-products. High THM formation is usually associated with natural organic matter with high molecular weight and aromatic characteristics, which is efficiently removed by nanofiltration (NF). In the Sea of Galilee and the Israeli National Water Carrier (NWC), water shows high THM formation potential, although it mainly contains low molecular weight and hydrophilic organic matter with low aromaticity. In the present study, NF removal abilities were tested on treated NWC water using three different spiral wound membranes (NF90, NF270, and DL). Rejections and fluxes were tested as a function of pressure, water recovery, and membrane type. Feed and permeate dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UVA254, total THM formation (THMF), and total THM formation potential (THMFP), as well as alkalinity, conductivity, hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl− were measured to evaluate rejection and THM formation reduction. The results demonstrated that NF can efficiently remove natural organic matter (NOM) and reduce THM formation, even in this challenging type of water. At low water recovery, membranes showed average rejection of about 70–85% for THMFP and THM. Upon elevating recovery, average THM and THMFP rejection decreased to 55–70%, with THM content still well below regulation limits. Of the membranes tested, the higher permeability of NF270 appears to make it economically favorable for the applications tested in this work.

Ozonation of natural organic matter and aquatic humic substances: the effects of ozone on the structural characteristics and subsequent trihalomethane formation potential

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-166
Author(s):  
Mehrnaz Sadrnourmohammadi ◽  
Kenneth Brezinski ◽  
Beata Gorczyca
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Natural Organic Matter ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Aromatic Rings ◽  
Formation Potential ◽  
Trihalomethane Formation Potential ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Reflectance Ftir ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Humic Fractions

Abstract The effect of ozonation on the structural and chemical characteristics of natural organic matter (NOM) and its isolated humic fractions, humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid, were studied using Fourier transform infrared coupled to attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, and synchronous scanning fluorescence (SSF) spectroscopy. The results were linked to the effect of ozonation on trihalomethane formation potential (THMfp) reduction for water standards with high THM precursors. Results showed that ozonation at a dose of 1 mg ozone/mg dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was capable of reducing DOC, UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), and THMfp by up to 42%, 95%, and 89% for the HA water standard, respectively. The study of UV/Vis, FTIR-ATR, and SSF revealed trends showing that ozone can alter the composition of DOC in the water standards, causing a significant reduction in aromaticity. The reduction of UV254 for each ozonated sample also affirms that ozone mainly targets aromatic moieties contained in NOM. FTIR-ATR results showed that the reduction of unsaturated functional groups, including aromatic rings and C = C bonds in the water standards tested, were the main components impacted by ozone application. SSF results also revealed that ozonation decreases the fluorescence intensity of the maximum peak – as well as the whole spectra.

Variations of DBPs precursors according to location within the distribution system

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-421
Author(s):  
C. Beaulieu ◽  
M. J. Rodriguez ◽  
J.-B. Sérodes
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution System ◽  
Spatial Behavior ◽  
Haloacetic Acids ◽  
Formation Potential ◽  
The Impact ◽  
By Products

Little information is available on the evolution of remaining organic matter (ROM) in a water distribution system (WDS) and its impact on the generation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). This research involves the characterization, through sample fractionation processes and experimental chlorination tests, of the reactivity of DBP precursors occurring within a WDS. The study is based on samples collected in various locations of a WDS during a complete year. For each sample, six fractions were generated to determine their potential for formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Fractionation processes on ROM demonstrated that the spatial behavior of precursors for THMs differs from that for precursors of HAAs. In addition, experimental chlorination tests showed that the reactivity of the investigated fractions, in terms of DBP formation potential (DBPfp), was different from each other according to location in the WDS. DBPfp for the studied fractions changed drastically during water treatment. However, changes of DBPfp for fractions were relatively low between the beginning and the extremity of the distribution system. Since the results of this research confirm that the ability to produce DBPs is related to the nature of the fractions, they could be useful to evaluate the impact of re-chlorination on DBP formation in a WDS.

Effect of ozone on disinfection by-product formation of algae

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine D. Plummer ◽  
James K. Edzwald
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Product Formation ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Formation Potential ◽  
Trihalomethane Formation Potential ◽  
Extracellular Organic Matter ◽  
Algal Suspension

The presence of algae in a drinking water source can have a significant impact on the treatment of that water. Algae and their extracellular organic matter can be precursors for disinfection by-product (DBP) formation which is of concern for treatment plants that employ pre-chlorination. This research examined the DBP formation of suspensions of Scenedesmus quadricauda, a green alga, and the effect of ozonation on that formation. Trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) was found to increase by 10% to 30% when preozonation was applied versus non-ozonated samples. A slight increase in haloacetic acid (HAA) formation was also observed in the ozonated samples. Ozonation caused an increase in the dissolved organic carbon content of the algal suspension, thereby increasing the concentration of precursors. The alkalinity of the water did not significantly affect the formation potential of either THMs or HAAs.

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