A non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry data analysis of dissolved organic matter in wastewater treatment. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verkh, Yaroslav; Rozman, Marko; Petrovic, Mira
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 200(2018)
• Page Start: 397
• Page End: 404
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: LC-HR mass spectrometry -- Non-targeted analysis -- Wastewater treatment -- Dissolved organic matter -- Statistical analysis -- Direct injection; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The dissolved organic matter (DOM) in wastewater is typically described by a limited number of concentration measurements of select DOM fractions or micro-contaminants, which determine the removal efficiency in a wastewater treatment. Current methods do not necessarily reflect the true performance of the treatment with regard to environmental and public health risk. Herein we describe the development and application of a non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) data analysis for the evaluation of wastewater treatment processes. Our data analysis approach was applied to a real wastewater system with secondary biological treatment and tertiary treatment consisting of sand filtration, UV-treatment, and chlorination. We identified significant changes in DOM during wastewater treatment. The secondary treatment removed 1617 of 2409 (67%) detected molecular features (grouped isotopologues belonging to the same molecule) from the influent while 255 of 1047 (24%) new molecular features appeared in the secondary effluent. A reduction in the number of large molecules (>450 Da) and an increase in unsaturated molecular features of the effluent organic matter was observed. Van Krevelen plots revealed the distribution of unsaturation and heteroatoms and Kendrick mass defect plots uncovered CH 2 homologous series implying a removal of heavy constituents in that fraction. The demonstrated approach is a step towards a more comprehensive monitoring of DOM in wastewater and contributes to the understanding of current treatment technologies. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Secondary treatment removed 67% influent features while 24% new effluent appeared. The biodegradable organic matter differed chemically from the recalcitrant. Kendrick plot uncovered the removal of CH2 and C2 H4 O homologs.