Abstract
Abstract:
NOM is a heterogeneous mixture of organic compounds that can be of human origin
or derived primarily from plant and microbial residues. The inadequate removal of
NOM has a bearing on the capacity of the other treatment processes to remove
organic micro-pollutants or inorganic species that may be present in the water.
Owing to the complexity and structure of NOM, the techniques employed for the
characterization of NOM have a limitation in terms of an all inclusive characterization
protocol of NOM to molecular level. This study is thus aimed at developing a rapid
method of NOM characterization. Water samples will be collected from the five
geographic water regions of South Africa to effectively study the nature of the South
African water source for its NOM composition. The polarity rapid assessment method
(PRAM) will be employed as a rapid NOM characterization tool. The characterization
under PRAM is based on preferential adsorption of dissolved organic matter (DOM)
fractions onto solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbents. By extension, the study would
then develop a rapid NOM removal strategy that would remove NOM from source
during pre-treatment and along the treatment train. A rapid NOM removal technique
will then be employed, where different sorbents (e.g. cyclodextrin polyurethanes
impregnated with nano-particles) will be employed as sorbents for NOM removal.