Characterization of Effluent Organic Matter (EfOM) Using Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) Using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS) and Diode Array Detector (DAD)-Fluorescence Detector (FLD)
Oral Presentation
Prepared by M. Park, A. Jia, S. Snyder
University of Arizona, 1133 E James E. Rogers Way Room 108, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 520-820-6619
ABSTRACT
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a pivotal role in securing public health since they alleviate hazardous chemicals discharged into the water body. In particular, wastewater contains a number of anthropogenic chemicals such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), thereby needs to be properly treated before discharge into the water body in order to prevent from potential threat to public health. Recently, furthermore, potable reuse of wastewater effluents is of concern in arid areas. Hence, understanding the quality of wastewater effluent has increasingly become important.
Effluent organic matter (EfOM) is a recalcitrant organic matter that is scarcely treated by conventional wastewater treatment processes. It is known to consist of natural organic matter (NOM), soluble microbial products (SMPs), and trace harmful chemicals. However, relatively fewer studies on the characterization of EfOM have been conducted, particularly in molecular level, compared to natural organic matter (NOM) although public concerns of potable reuse of wastewater have gradually increased.
In this study, secondary wastewater effluent from Green Valley Wastewater Pilot Plant in Tucson, AZ was analyzed using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using quadrupole time-of-flight-MS (Q-TOF-MS) and diode array detector (DAD)-fluorescence detector (FLD) in order to characterize EfOM. It was found that large aromatic compounds were not well ionized by negative electrospray ionization (ESI). In addition, major homologue series of EfOM were found to be methylation. Based on a van Krevelen diagram (plot of atomic ratio of H to C versus that of O to C), EfOM has low oxidation state and protein-like molecules displayed high abundance. As a result of hyphenation of SEC with the detectors of both bulk organic parameters (DAD and FLD) and that of molecular analysis (Q-TOF-MS), this study will help provide information on interrelation between bulk- and molecular levels of EfOM in wastewater.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by M. Park, A. Jia, S. Snyder
University of Arizona, 1133 E James E. Rogers Way Room 108, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 520-820-6619
ABSTRACT
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a pivotal role in securing public health since they alleviate hazardous chemicals discharged into the water body. In particular, wastewater contains a number of anthropogenic chemicals such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), thereby needs to be properly treated before discharge into the water body in order to prevent from potential threat to public health. Recently, furthermore, potable reuse of wastewater effluents is of concern in arid areas. Hence, understanding the quality of wastewater effluent has increasingly become important.
Effluent organic matter (EfOM) is a recalcitrant organic matter that is scarcely treated by conventional wastewater treatment processes. It is known to consist of natural organic matter (NOM), soluble microbial products (SMPs), and trace harmful chemicals. However, relatively fewer studies on the characterization of EfOM have been conducted, particularly in molecular level, compared to natural organic matter (NOM) although public concerns of potable reuse of wastewater have gradually increased.
In this study, secondary wastewater effluent from Green Valley Wastewater Pilot Plant in Tucson, AZ was analyzed using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using quadrupole time-of-flight-MS (Q-TOF-MS) and diode array detector (DAD)-fluorescence detector (FLD) in order to characterize EfOM. It was found that large aromatic compounds were not well ionized by negative electrospray ionization (ESI). In addition, major homologue series of EfOM were found to be methylation. Based on a van Krevelen diagram (plot of atomic ratio of H to C versus that of O to C), EfOM has low oxidation state and protein-like molecules displayed high abundance. As a result of hyphenation of SEC with the detectors of both bulk organic parameters (DAD and FLD) and that of molecular analysis (Q-TOF-MS), this study will help provide information on interrelation between bulk- and molecular levels of EfOM in wastewater.
