The photophysical and photochemical properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) continue to be a topic of interest to environmental scientists and engineers. DOM represents a complex mixture of organic molecules, where the observable properties represent an average of the properties of different components, and methods to reduce the complexity of the system are widely used in fundamental studies. In this presentation the role of ozone, a common oxidant used in water treatment processes, on the optical and photochemical properties of DOM will be discussed. The application of ozone to DOM results in changes in the fluorescence quantum yield consistent with the presence of a pool of fluorophores that are recalcitrant to oxidation. In addition, the application of ozone results in an increase in the quantum yield for the formation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical, two reactive intermediates that are relevant to both contaminant oxidation and pathogen inactivation in engineered systems. These results will be presented in the context of current understanding regarding the photophysical and photochemical models of DOM. Taking together, these observations draw attention to the complex behavior of DOM and point to the differential roles of chemical pools within the mixture and how further chemical transformation impact its observable properties. <br/> <br/>

Assessing the effect of oxidation on the photophysical and photochemical properties of dissolved organic matter

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.