Monitoring the characteristics and removal of natural organic matter fractions in selected south african water treatment plants

Journal article (2020)

Authors

Welldone Moyo University of South Africa
Nhamo Chaukura Sol Plaatje University, University of South Africa
Machawe M. Motsa University of South Africa
Titus A.M. Msagati University of South Africa
Bhekie B. Mamba University of South Africa
Sebastiaan Heijman Sanitary Engineering - CEG
Thabo T.I. Nkambule University of South Africa
Research Group
Sanitary Engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 Welldone Moyo, Nhamo Chaukura, Machawe M. Motsa, Titus A.M. Msagati, Bhekie B. Mamba, Sebastiaan Heijman, Thabo T.I. Nkambule
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2020.075
Natural organic matter Drinking water treatment 2D correlation spectroscopy PARAFAC Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Water Management

Research Group

Sanitary Engineering

Abstract

This study used spectroscopic methods to investigate the fate and dynamics of natural organic matter (NOM) as it traverses the treatment train at three water treatment plants (WTPs) in South Africa. The character, quantity, and removability of NOM at specific treatment stages was investigated by measuring changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, specific ultra-violet absorbance, UV absorbance, various spectroscopic indices, and maximum fluorescence intensity levels. A novel method of identifying and quantifying fluorescent fractions by combining synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) and Gaussian peak fitting is presented. The dynamics of NOM removal were modeled using 2D-SFS correlation spectroscopy. Humic and fulvic substances dominated coastal plants and were the most amenable for removal by coagulation as shown by Hermanus WTP (plant H), which had a 42% DOC removal at the coagulation stage. Tyrosine-like, tryptophan-like and microbial humic-like substances were degraded or transformed concurrently at plant Flag Bushiole (FB) whereas, at plant H, fulvic-like matter was transformed first followed by tyrosine-like then humic-like matter. Through 2D-SFS, this study revealed that NOM transformation was varied as a consequence of NOM character, the type and dosage of treatment chemicals used, and WTPs operational parameters.

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