Molecular investigation on changing behaviors of natural organic matter by coagulation with non-targeting screen using high-resolution mass spectrometry

Gefei Ma; Hui Xu; Xiaofang Yang; Guangyu An; Qinxue Yang; Xi Wang; Dongsheng Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127408

Molecular investigation on changing behaviors of natural organic matter by coagulation with non-targeting screen using high-resolution mass spectrometry

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Feb 15;424(Pt B):127408. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127408. Epub 2021 Oct 6.

Authors

Gefei Ma¹, Hui Xu², Xiaofang Yang¹, Guangyu An¹, Qinxue Yang³, Xi Wang¹, Dongsheng Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing 100085, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing 100085, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. Electronic address: huixu@rcees.ac.cn.
³ Faculty Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing 100085, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. Electronic address: wgds@rcees.ac.cn.

PMID: 34653857
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127408

Abstract

Natural organic matter (NOM) can tremendously influence the purification efficiency of the drinking water treatment process. Coagulation was the first and primary process of NOM removal in the drinking water treatment process. The interaction between coagulants and NOM molecules remains unclear. Three typical coagulants (Al₁₃, FeCl_3, and AlCl₃) were used to investigate the effects on NOM removal. The measurement of NOM was conducted using 15 T Electrospray Ionization coupled Fourier-Transform-Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR MS). The coagulation process altered the mass peak numbers as well as relative intensity of the peaks which were positively correlated with TOC value. The lignin-like compound was the most abundant moiety in raw water. Al-based coagulants remove more unsaturated larger compounds (lower KMD and higher carbon number). Al₁₃ remove the unsaturated hydrocarbons preferably. FeCl₃ is more reactive with NOM molecules and removes more fully saturated compounds. These findings revealed the coagulation removal mechanism of NOM with different structural characteristics and advise the practical use of coagulants for various raw water with different NOM characteristics.

Keywords: Coagulation; FT-ICR MS; NOM removal specificity; Non-targeting screen.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Lignin
Mass Spectrometry
Water Purification*

Substances

Lignin