Colloidal organic matter from wastewater treatment plant effluents: Characterization and role in metal distribution

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 340 - 350
• Main Authors: Worms, Isabelle A.M., Al-Gorani Szigeti, Zsofia, Dubascoux, Stephane, Lespes, Gaetane, Traber, Jacqueline, Sigg, Laura, Slaveykova, Vera I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2010; Elsevier; IWA Publishing/Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation; Cadmium; Carbon; Chemical Sciences; Chromium; Colloids; Colloids - analysis; Colloids - chemistry; Dissolution; Environmental Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; LC-OCD; Manganese; Metal binding; Metals - analysis; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Pollution; Silver; Tangential flow ultrafiltration; Ultrafiltration; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Wastes; Wastewater effluent; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water treatment and pollution; Metal binding; Wastewater effluent; Tangential flow ultrafiltration; Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation; LC-OCD; Colloids; fractionation; Organic matter; Pollutant behavior; Liquid chromatography; Flow field; Sewage treatment plant; Asymmetrical flow field-flow; Waste water; Dissolved matter; Dissolved organic carbon; Membrane separation; Ultraviolet detector; ICP mass spectroscopy; Ultrafiltration; Lead; Colloid particle; Speciation
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2009.09.037

Colloidal organic matter from wastewater treatment plants was characterized and examined with respect to its role in metal distribution by using tangential flow ultrafiltration, liquid chromatography coupled with organic carbon and UV detectors, and an asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AFlFFF) multidetection platform. Results revealed that a humic-like fraction of low aromaticity with an average molar mass ranging from 1600 to 2600Da was the main colloidal component. High molar mass fractions (HMM), with molar mass ranges between 20 and 200kDa, were present in lower proportions. Ag, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn and Zn were found mainly in the dissolved phase (<0.45μm) and their distribution between colloidal and truly dissolved fractions was strongly influenced by the distribution of dissolved organic carbon. AFlFFF coupled to ICP-MS showed that Ag, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn and Zn associate to the low molar mass fraction of the colloidal pool, whereas Al, Fe and Pb were equally bound to low and high molar mass fractions.