Tracking natural organic matter (NOM) in a drinking water treatment plant using fluorescence excitation–emission matrices and PARAFAC

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 797 - 809
• Main Authors: Baghoth, S.A., Sharma, S.K., Amy, G.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: acids; Amino Acids - analysis; Applied sciences; aquatic environment; biopolymers; carbon; correlation; dissolved organic matter; Exact sciences and technology; Factor Analysis, Statistical; fluorescence; Humic Substances - analysis; liquid chromatography; molecular weight; Natural organic matter; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Parallel factor analysis; Pollution; prediction; Proteins - analysis; Size exclusion chromatography; Spectrometry, Fluorescence - methods; Water Purification; Water Supply - analysis; water treatment; Water treatment and pollution; Size exclusion chromatography; Parallel factor analysis; Natural organic matter; Drinking water treatment; Water treatment; Organic matter; Factor analysis; Prediction; Fluorescence; Liquid chromatography; Modeling; Fluorescence spectrometry; Gel permeation chromatography; Dissolved organic carbon; Aquatic environment; Dissolved organic matter; Decontamination; Correlation analysis; Drinking water treatment plant; Biopolymer; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.09.005

Natural organic matter (NOM) in water samples from a drinking water treatment train was characterized using fluorescence excitation emission matrices (F-EEMs) and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). A seven component PARAFAC model was developed and validated using 147 F-EEMs of water samples from two full-scale water treatment plants. It was found that the fluorescent components have spectral features similar to those previously extracted from F-EEMs of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from diverse aquatic environments. Five of these components are humic-like with a terrestrial, anthropogenic or marine origin, while two are protein-like with fluorescence spectra similar to those of tryptophan-like and tyrosine-like fluorophores. A correlation analysis was carried out for samples of one treatment plant between the maximum fluorescence intensities (Fmax) of the seven PARAFAC components and NOM fractions (humics, building blocks, neutrals, biopolymers and low molecular weight acids) of the same sample obtained using liquid chromatography with organic carbon detection (LC-OCD). There were significant correlations (p < 0.01) between sample DOC concentration, UVA254, and Fmax for the seven PARAFAC components and DOC concentrations of the LC-OCD fractions. Three of the humic-like components showed slightly better predictions of DOC and humic fraction concentrations than UVA254. Tryptophan-like and tyrosine-like components correlated positively with the biopolymer fraction. These results demonstrate that fluorescent components extracted from F-EEMs using PARAFAC could be related to previously defined NOM fractions and that they could provide an alternative tool for evaluating the removal of NOM fractions of interest during water treatment.