NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER INTEREST GROUP

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These are the results of a survey of research groups undertaking investigations into NOM and its effect of drinking water treatment. Please contact Gayle Newcombe to add any more information to the list.

• List of Contributors
• List of Research Institutes/Companies
  
• NOM Research Survey Responses

NOM RESEARCH SURVEY RESPONSES

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Environmental Sciences Division, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Israel 91904

Coupling coagulation/filtration with membrane treatment to minimize fouling and optimize removal of particles and NOM

Adin@vms.huji.ac.il

School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University

NOM Research Sponsors
Yorkshire Water, United Utilities, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, AwwaRF, Kemira.

Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK

1. Characterising seasonal variations in NOM.
2. Treatment options for NOM control.
3. Advanced oxidation process for NOM control.
4. Treatment of elevated content water (supported by AwwaRF).
5. Impact of NOM on floc structure and strength.
6. Fouling of MF membranes.

Linking NOM character with treatability in conventional and advanced water treatment processes.

s.a.parsons@cranfield.ac.uk
www.cranfield.ac.uk/sims/water/nom

Derek.Wilson@yorkshirewater.co.uk

Peter.Hillis@uuplc.co.uk

National Institute of Public Health

PO Box 4404 Torshov

N-0403 Oslo, Norway

Organic substances in drinking water

• Sources and characteristics of NOM in drinking water sources.
• Properties of DOC in drinking water produced with different treatment techniques.

dag.hongve@folkehelsa.no

List of Publications

Environmental Engineering Program
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts

18 Marston Hall, UMass

Amherst, MA 01003, USA

1. Kinetics and Mechanism of NOM reactions with Chlorine and Ozone

2. Characterization of NOM using LC/MS and Pyrolysis GC/MS

3. Sources of NOM in the Wachusett Watershed

Director:

reckhow@ecs.umass.edu

List of Publications

Post Doc:

amgonzal@chemistry.umass.edu

PhD Students: Caroline von Stechow (cfreiinv@ecs.umass.edu); Shumedha Mohan

MS Technician: Mr. Tianjie Wu (tianjie@.ecs.umass.edu)

Environmental Engineering Program

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, MA 01003 USA

1) Coagulation Studies of NOM Removal from Drinking Waters

2) Relationships Among the Nature of NOM, Water Hardness, and Coagulation of NOM

Coagulation and Characterization of NOM

Edzwald@ecs.umass.edu

Laboratoire de Chimie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement, UPRESA CNRS 6008

Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Poitiers

Université de Poitiers

40 Avenue du Recteur Pineau

86022 Poitiers cedex - FRANCE

Relation between NOM structural characteristics and membrane fooling : Nature of the fraction of NOM responsible for membrane fooling

The effect of algae on the character of natural organic matter and the resultant impact on water treatment

High molecular weight disinfection by-products : Tentative identification using Pyrolysis GC/MS

Isolation, fractionation, characterization of aquatic NOM and its behavior along drinking water treatment processes

Email address : croue@campus.univ-poitiers.fr

Research Institute/Company Name

University of Washington

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352700

Seattle WA 98195-2700

Chlorinated DBP Formation Kinetics (funded by AWWARF)

Applications of a Differential UV Spectroscopy for On-Line DBP Monitoring (funded by AWWARF)

Electrochemical Reactions of Environmentally-Occurring Halogenated Species and Exploration of Dehalogenation Technologies (funded by Royalty Research Foundation)

Characterization of NOM functional groups

Changes in NOM characteristics resulting from water treatment, such as halogenation, oxidation, adsorption, coagulation.

Kinetics of NOM reactions with oxidizing disinfectants.

Electrochemical reactions of NOM and detection of DBPs

Development of spectroscopic methods for in situ NOM characterization

XAFS studies of NOM interactions with heavy metals

Effects of NOM on corrosion in water and metal release

korshin@u.washington.edu

List of Publications

markbenj@u.washington.edu

Department of Civil Engineering, Gifu University

Yanagido 1-1, Gifu 501-11, Japan

Effects of NOM on Pesticide Removal by GAC Adsorber

NOM Characterisation (Molecular Weight), Activated Carbon Adsorption,

Pesticide characteristics

y-matsui@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp

Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool

University of Liverpool

L69 3BX , U.K.

COLLOID AND SURFACE SCIENCE FOR ENHANCED REMOVAL OF NOM.

The overall aim of this project is to identify opportunities, emerging from the growing understanding of Colloid and Surface Science, for the delivery of improvements in the water treatment train, to assist in meeting future standards for water treatment. The project therefore comprises the following measurable objectives:

The research programme comprises three major routes of investigation;

(a) Identification of alternative adsorbents, selected to target the refractory NOM.

(b) Oxidation of the refractory NOM to render it more amenable to adsorption, and

(c) Investigation of polymers, not simply as flocculation aids but as complexing agents for refractory NOM.

A model for recalcitrant NOM (ppt file)

DVGW Water Technology Center (TZW) Germany

Karlsruher Strasse 84 76139, Karlsruhe, Germany
Phone: +49 721 9678 257 Fax: +49 721 9678 109 Web: www.TZW.de

(1) Characterization of organic matter from the view of water treatment
The project focused methods to characterize NOM from the view of water treatment. It is sometimes difficult for waterworks using raw waters with high concentrations of organic matter to ensure both, a safe disinfection and a disinfection by-product-concentration (DBP) below the limit. Moreover, NOM will compete with trace substances on free adsorption sites on the activated carbons surface, yielding to a lower adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon for trace substances in high NOM containing waters. Therefore it is recommended for waterworks to enhance the removal of organic substances. To optimize the treatment process some tools are necessary, which were examined in the project. This include the identification of: the recalcitrant part of the NOM by determination in a laboratory cycle rector (1), the adsorbability of the NOM by conducting an adsorption analysis (2), the disinfection by-product-forming part of the NOM by executing of suitable DBP-formation experiments (3).

(2) The phenomenon of increasing levels of humic substances in drinking water reservoirs in mountain areas of Central Europe
In the mountains of central Europe as well as in regions of Britain and Norway, a significant increase of the level of dissolved humic matter (DHM) in surface waters could be obtained since the beginning of the last decade in 1990. According to a first systematic investigation, it seems that a global as well as regional increase of temperatures and pH-values in soils of the catchment areas of lakes and reservoirs could be responsible for that. In order to clarify the process, an exact description of the catchment areas and basins as well as the situation of forest and moors according to anthropogenic impacts and changes is necessary. In the end, the role of increasing DHM in drinking water reservoirs has to be clarified, because surface water is used for drinking water production in many regions of Europe. The examination of the complex process is the objective of an German-Czech research project founded by the German ministry of education and research (BMBF).

biological degradation, adsorption, oxidation, disinfection by-product formation, biological regrowth potential

mueller@tzw.de

Dr. Wido Schmidt
schmidt@tzw-dresden.de

Engler-Bunte-Insitut, Waterchemistry

University Karlsruhe

Address

Engler-Bunte-Ring 1

D- 76128 Karlsruhe

NOM Project(s) Name

Projects related to NOM are within the following topics:

1. Water treatment

2. Quality of natural water

3. Remediation

4. Refractory organic substances

Titles of the projects are:

Removal of organic hydrophilic pollutants by novel polymeric adsorbers in water treatment - Bases for technical application - Influence of refractory organic acids und inorganic substances on the removal of organic hydrophilic pollutants

Advanced Oxidation Processes in Drinking Water treatment - Minimisation of Disinfectants and Reduction of Bacterial Regrowth

Removal of natural organic matter from ground and surface water by membrane separation

Removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from raw water and waste water - Optimization and characterization of the flocculation process by scanning X-ray microscopy - within the project "Build-up of a scanning X-ray microscope at the electron storage ring BESSY II "

Photochemical effects of the solar UV-B-radiation on the aquatic ecosystem (SOLAQUA).

Application of a new integrated concept to assess the effects of organic contamination in surface waters - Physico-chemical assessment with sum parameters

Biomarkers for leaks in sewer systems - within the project "Risk assessment for soil and ground water from leakage of sewer systems"

Biological remediation of PAH-contaminated soils - Influence of refractory acids and metabolites on microbial degradation

Investigation of the enzymatic hydrolysis of refractory organic acids.

Isolation and characterisation of reference substances.

Towards defining Maturity of Composed Municipal Solid Waste: Transformation of the Organic Matter to Humic Substances

Influence of oxidation processes on the interaction between natural organic matter (NOM) and metal ions

Determination of organic acids after solar irradiation of refractory organic substances

NOM in colloidal form as carrier of pollutants in aquatic systems

Formation of hydrophilic products in disinfective and oxidative water treatment

1. Water treatment

2. Quality of natural water

3. Remediation

4. Refractory organic substances

fritz.frimmel@ciw.uni-karlsruhe.de

List of Publications

New book synopsis

gudrun.abbt-braun@ciw.uni-karlsruhe.de

InterConsult Group ASA

Bryggeriveien 2

PB 123

1614 Fredrikstad, NORWAY

The use of GAC to reduce NOM. Testing different types of GAC in filtercolumns with different EBCT (pilotscale). Analysing on TOC and UV-absorption.

• The use of Chitosan as coagulant for colour removal (organic based coagulant). Results from different pilot plants (coagulation and filtration trough dual media filters with sand and anthracite).

• New project in autumn 2000 is to do GAC-tests for a water treatment plant in Norway, with aspect to reduce NOM content (the pilot results will be basis for dimensioning a full step filtration step).

InterConsult Group is a multidisciplinary consultant firm with head office in Oslo. Most of the researches we do are based on finding optimum treatment solutions when dimensioning full-scale plants.

If there are need for better and more information please contact me.

Contact person:

E-mail: gef@interconsult .com

Cranfield University – Work supported by North West Water (UK) & Yorkshire Water (UK)

Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 OAL, UK

1. NOM fractionation and characterisation

2. Capillary Electrophoresis of NOM isolates

The programme aims to identify those NOM materials responsible for THM formation following clarification, and to propose and trial alternative methods for their control and/or removal.

s.a.parsons@cranfield.ac.uk

University of Minnesota

Dept. of Civil Engineering, 500 Pillsbury Dr. SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455-0116

Development of a Method for Characterizing Natural Organic Matter Using Capillary Electrophoresis

Development of NOM characterization approach

Study of relationships between NOM composition and reactivity, with specific application to water supply and water treatment

Assistant Professor

Phone: 612-626-9650

Fax: 612-626-7750

Email: hozal001@tc.umn.edu

Riga Technical University

Riga Technical University

Dept. of Civil Engineering, Div. Of Water Supply

Azenes 16, LV-1048

Latvia

Removal of heavy metal-humic complexes in course of artificial groundwater recharge.

Sorption of humic substance on the aquifer material and related mineral phases.

Elimination or organic matter in the process of biological removal of iron from groundwater.

The properties of humic substances as well as heavy metals are greatly altered when they are complexes. We are focusing on removal of humic substances from groundwater without compromising elimination of heavy metals in low-cost water treatment processes.

talisj@bf.rtu.lv

Research Institute/Company Name

University of Colorado

Civil & Environmental Engineering

University of Colorado

Boulder, Colorado 80309 USA

NOM Project(s) Name

1. NOM Fouling Of, and Rejection By, Nanofiltration Membranes

2. Coupled Ultrafiltration-Novel Adsorbent System for Removal of NOM

The Role of Membrane Technology in the Removal of NOM during Drinking Water

Gary.Amy@Colorado.EDU

Research Institute/Company Name

Environmental and Water Resources Engineering

The University of Michigan

Suite 181, EWRE Bldg.

Ann Arbor, MI, USA 48109-2125

Effects of NOM on GAC

NOM Compounds of Soils and Sediments

GAC Performance in Presence of NOM

Role of NOM in Contaminant Transport on Soil/Sediment Systems

wjwjr@engin.umich.edu

Research Institute/Company Name

Australian Water Quality Centre (SA Water Corp), a partner in the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment

PMB 3 Salisbury

SA 5108

Australia

Competitive adsorption on activated carbon, NOM and MIB

The effect of NOM character on the ozonation of MIB, geosmin and algal toxins

Effect of NOM character on ozonation and activated carbon adsorption

Gayle.newcombe@sawater.com.au

US Geological Survey, Water Resources Division

3215 Marine Street, Suite E-127

Boulder, CO 80303

Organic Carbon Migration in Aquatic Environment

1. Factors controlling nature and reactiity of NOM in aquatic environments.
2. Reactivity of NOM with disinfectants, primarliy chlorine.
3. Reactivity of NOM with metals, especially mercury.
4. Analysis and characterization of NOM.

graiken@usgs.gov

Research Institute/Company Name

Tallinn Water Limited

Hydrobiological Laboratory of the Tallinn Water Treatment Plant

Mail: PO Box 174, 10502 Tallinn Ectonia.

10614 Tallinn, Ectonia

As our Company is not a Research Institute, but permanently working body – we do daily work with the NOM – our main source for drinking water is shallow lake, full of algae and plonkton – main are different types of the blue green algae (some toxic..), the number of phytoplankton cells/ml about 0,7 = 1,2 millions, 200 plankton units/m³ about 1,7 ) 3,2 millions. We do also NOM characterisation and investigate their changing during very long period – Since 1865 and the process is very interesting, but troubled. In our Hydrobiological laboratory are working very good specialists.

Reduction of NOM before the main drinking water treatment processes (better in source – Lake Ulemiote) to reduce the treatment costs and guarantee high water quality in network (specially in summer period)

Hydrobiologist

Email: tiiat@vpj.ee

Email: tiit.laur@tvesi.ee

Kiwa Research and Consultancy

PO Box 1072, 3430 BB Niewegein, The Netherlands

1. Removal of NOM with ion-exchange resin
2. Influence of NOM on the iron-removal from groundwater
3. Measuring the NOM-iron complex with spectroscopic methods.

1. Optimize the filtration process using dynamic adsorption models in order to obtain a inexpensive process for color removal and DOC-removal
2. Determining the possible problems with iron-NOM complexes in groundwater treatment.
3. Measuring the existence of iron-NOM complexes with several spectroscopic methods.

(Email: heijman@kiwaoa.nl)

(Email: reijnen@kiwaoa.nl)

(Email: ijpelaar@kiwaoa.nl)

Research Institute/Company Name

University of Oslo, Department of Chemistry

PO Box 1033 Blindern

N-0315 Oslo, Norway

Characterisation of natural dissolved organic material (DOM) in the Nordic countries

Functional characteristics (pKa & pKex) of XAD8 fractions and RO isolates

Cordinator

University of Oslo (UiO) rolf.vogt@kjemi.uio.no

List of Publications

University of Oslo (UiO) egil.gjessing@kjemi.uio.no

Agder College (HiA) Dag.O.Andersen@hia.no

Agricultural University of Norway (NLH) jan.mulder@ijvf.nlh.no

University of Oslo (UiO) walter.lund@kjemi.uio.no

Sweden

Mid Sweden University (MH) Ulla.Lundstrom@ite.mh.se

Finland

Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA) michael.starr@metla.fi

Research Institute/Company Name

University of Paderborn, Department of Environmental Engineering

An der Wilhelmshoehe 44

27671 Hoexter

Germany

Treatment of NOM by alum flocculation

Adsorption of NOM on different sorbent materials

NOM characterisation with respect to its behaviour in treatment processes

Comparison of sorbent materials for NOM removal

(email: j-fettig@moellinger.hx.uni-paderborn.de

Research Institute/Company Name

Waterleiding Maatsthappy Limburg (WML)

PB 1060

6201 BB Maastricht, The Netherlands

• Artificial Deep well rechage Breckei (experiments)
• ASP – Pilot Herten (results of the core samples in April 2000)
• NO3 South Limburg (soil moisture analyses to verify the expected concentration)

Oxygen use, reactivity (amount of labile organic matter) adsorbed capacity

Department for Product preparation and Research

(Email: pvo@wml.nl)

Research Institute/Company Name

Environmental Science and Engineering Program, UCLA

Dr. Mel Suffet

Environmental Science and Engineering Program

UCLA, School of Public Health, Room 46-081, CHS

Charles E. Young Drive South

Box 951772

Los Angeles CA 90095-1772

Phone # 310-206-8230

FAX # 310-206-3358

1) MTBE and GAC and DOM rules the day.

2) THMs in the water distribution system of Mexico and DOM rules.

3) Water Reuse Treatment and DOM is involved.

Principal Researcher(s)

(inc E-mail address)

msuffet@ucla.edu

The University of New South Wales, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

Effect of NOM on redox transformations of iron

Effect of NOM complexation of iron on redox transformations of iron via both thermal and photochemical processes

d.waite@unsw.edu.au

SINTEF Applied Chemistry – Dept. Water and Wastewater

N-7465 Trondheim NORWAY

1. Optimization of NOM removal by coagulation-direct filtration (testing traditional and new coagulants like chitosan and poly alum chloride with a high Ca-content, and traditional and new filter media like expanded clay aggregates)
2. NOM removal by ozonation-biofiltration
3. NOM removal by membrane filtration
4. NOM removal by hybrid processes (coagulation and membrane filtration)
5. NOM removal by macroporous anion exchange
6. Characterization of NOM regarding DBPs, biostability, corrosion

Bjornar.Eikebrokk@civil.sintef.no

Esa.Melin@chem.sintef.no

Thor.Thorsen@chem.sintef.no

Hallvard.Odegaard@bygg.ntnu.no

List of Publications

Stein.W.Osterhus@chem.sintef.no

A.M.G.A - Azienda Mediterranea Gas e Acqua S.p.A.

Via Piacenza, 54

16138 GENOVA

Italy

Minimizing NOM in surface water by dual – media sand filters in addition with GAC adsorption

To reduce Chlorite formation in disinfection by Chlorine Dioxide

E – mail: mario.colombino@amgaspa.it

E – mail: STA@amgaspa.it

North Carolina State University

Dept. of Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University,

Box 7908, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA

1. Effects of Activated Carbon Surface Chemistry and Pore Structure on the Adsorption of Micropollutants from Natural Waters

2. Effects of Algae on Drinking Water Treatment Processes and Finished Water Quality

1. Activated carbon adsorption – effects of NOM on the adsorption of trace organic pollutants, NOM and adsorbent characterization.
   
   
2. Effects of algae and extracellular organic matter on coagulation

3. Interactions between xenobiotics and humic compounds in degraded solid waste components and landfill leachate.

Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering

Phone: 919-515-8791, Fax: 919-515-7908, E-mail: knappe@eos.ncsu.edu

Research Institute/Company Name

CRC for Water Quality and Treatment – South Australian Water Corporation (Australian Water Quality Centre)

AWQC, PMB 3 Salisbury, South Australia 5501

CRC Project 2.1.1 Characterisation of NOM

CRC Project 2.1.2 Improving Drinking Water Quality from Surface Water Sources

2.1.1 Characterisation of natural organic matter especially of catchments and drinking water reservoirs. Characterisation of NOM before and after treatment for drinking purposes.

john.vanLeeuwen@sawater.sa.gov.au

Dr Dennis Steffensen

dennis.steffensen@sawater.sa.gov.au

Waite Institute; University of Adelaide, Dept of Soil Science

Arizona State University

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Box 5306 Temp Arizona 85287

USEDA: Mechanistic Model for DBP formation ($350,000/3yr)

Development of analytical techniques: Fluorescence, C13-NMR, etc. Probing relationships between source of NOM (algae, wastewater…) & reactivity (oxidants, biodegradable sorption..)

p.westerhoff@asu.edu

List of Publications

peter.fox@asu.edu

CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology

Bag 10, Clayton South, Victoria 3169,

Australia

1. NOM removal by polyelectrolytes, adsorbents and ion exchange resins

2. Magnetic ion exchange resins for NOM removal

3. NOM fouling of membranes

Development of novel methods of NOM removal

brian.bolto@molsci.csiro.au

List of Publications

University of New South Wales

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

UNSW , Sydney 2052

Effect of NOM on redox cycling of iron in coastal waters

1. Effect of NOM on photoreduction of Fe(III) in surface waters
2. Effect of NOM on kinetics of Fe(II) removal from seawater

Topics (i) and (ii) funded by ARC-SPIRT

Principal Researcher(s)

(inc E-mail address)

Professor T D Waite

d.waite@unsw.edu.au

Research Institute/Company Name

CRC for Water Quality and Treatment, Australian Water Quality Centre

Address

Australian Water Quality Centre, Private Mail Bag 3, Salisbury, South Australia 5108, Australia

NOM Project(s) Name

Development of combined treatment process for the removal of recalcitrant organic matter
Main Research Focus

Rapid organic characterisation tools will be developed to analyse raw and treated waters to increase our understanding of the treatment process, and to guide plant operators to optimise treatment processes.

Understanding of the removal of natural organics by polymerised coagulants and magnetic ion exchange process MIEXâ. Assessment of other products, such as powdered activated carbon (PAC) and granulated activated carbon (GAC), which may remove the neutral organic components in conjunction with other major treatment processes.

Development of the best treatment to remove recalcitrant NOM, in the form of either a stand-alone or an add-on process to the existing treatment processes.

Better water quality indicators of membrane fouling based on an understanding of which NOM components are major MF foulants. Possible membrane conditioning process to reduce the rate of MF fouling. An understanding of hybrid membranes systems and the performance of submerged membrane modules in such systems.

Program coordinator:

Ms. Mary Drikas

mary.drikas@sawater.sa.gov.au

Researcher

Dr. Chris Chow

chris.chow@sawater.sa.gov.au

Research Institute/Company Name

University of New South Wales

Address

School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry,

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

UNSW , Sydney 2052

NOM Project(s) Name

Membrane Technology for NOM Removal

Main Research Focus

• NOM removal efficiency of MF,UF and NF membranes ( including fouling and chemical addition);
• Floc properties and membrane performance, with emphasis on hollow fibre membranes ( typical of MF/UF for NOM);
• Characterisation, development and fouling control for Spiral wound modules ( typical of NF process for NOM);

Topic i funded by CRCWQT

Topic ii funded by CRCWQT ( + grant proposal with ARC)

Topic iii funded by ARC and industry

( a.fane@unsw.edu.au )

Professor T D Waite

( d.waite@unsw.edu.au)

Clemson University

"Factors Affecting the Determination of SUVA in Fresh and Treated Waters: Development of a Standard Protocol," American Water Works Association Research Foundation

"Tailoring Activated Carbon Surfaces for Water, Wastewater and Hazardous Waste Treatment and Recovery Operations," United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance (NCERQA), Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Grant Program

"Brominated DBP Formation and Speciation Based on the Specific UV Absorbance Distribution of Natural Waters," United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance (NCERQA), Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Grant Program

Isolation, characterization and reactivity of NOM

Formation and speciation of disinfection by-products by different oxidants

Activated carbon and carbon fiber adsorption: tailoring activated carbons and carbon fibers for NOM and synthetic organic contaminant removal