Adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) on iron oxide: Effects on NOM composition and formation of organo-halide compounds during chlorination

A large fraction of the natural organic matter (NOM) in potable water sources can be extracted by adsorption onto iron-oxide-coated sand (IOCS). In this research, two water sources were characterized with respect to their hydrophobic/hydrophilic fractionation, their 13C NMR and UV absorbance spectra and their reactivity with chlorine, before and after the waters were contacted with IOCS. The IOCS preferentially adsorbs acidic fractions of NOM and NOM molecules that are enriched in aromatic and carboxylic carbon. The yield of chloro-organic compounds (quantified as total organo-halide) produced upon chlorination of the NOM or its major fractions correlates with the specific absorbance (As) at 254 nm. IOCS may be useful for removing disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors from potable waters and/or as a medium for NOM accumulation.