Fluorescence Organic Carbon Components and its Correlation with Bulk Organic Parameters in Water Treatment Processes

Water containing natural organic matter (NOM) has adverse effect on the aesthetic water qualities, and may cause some problems in water treatment processes. The aim of this research is to assess the changing of fluorescence dissolved organic carbon by using Fluorescence Excitation Emission Matrices (FEEMs) analysis through Parallel Factor (PARAFAC) modelling. In addition, this study purposed to examine the correlation between organic fluorescence with bulk parameters concentration, such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), and specific UV absorbance (SUVA) during water treatment processes. The results show humic-like compound, such as tryptophan-like and fulvic acids-like are the two major organic components contained in the water. Organic matter fluorescence identified that fulvic acid-like shows a higher removal than aromatic protein-like. The correlations of organic fluorescence are higher with DOC than with UV254 and SUVA value. Combination between bulk parameters and FEEMs methods could be used to give reinforced information about the presence of the main organic fractions in source and treated waters.