Acid characteristics of dissolved organic matter in wastewater

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Water Environment Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2175/106143098X123372· OSTI ID:642310

Wang, J; Huang, C P; Allen, H E; Takiyama, L R; Poesponegoro, I; Poesponegoro, H; Pirestani, D

The presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a wastewater treatment system can significantly affect the uptake of heavy metals by sludge particulates. The characteristics of DOM, its concentration, and the solution pH are important parameters governing the heavy metals uptake reaction. The characteristics of DOM of various wastewater and sludge (primary, secondary, and tertiary) samples collected from four municipal wastewater treatment plants were investigated. Results showed that the dissolution of DOM from sludge is significantly affected by pH and suspended solids concentration. Results also showed that DOM contains two discrete acid groups that are available for metals complexation. The site concentration and acidity constants were determined by an alkalimetric titration method. For all DOM samples studied, the acidity constants, pK{sub aA} and pK{sub aB}, were 5.3 and 9.5, respectively. Based on the acidity constants and the Fourier transform infrared spectra, it is believed that the acid sites consist of carboxylic and amino functional groups. The density of the first acid site was approximately 10{sup {minus}5} mol/mg chemical oxygen demand for all samples studied. However, the density of the second acid site varied significantly among the DOM samples investigated.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 642310
• Journal Information: Water Environment Research, Journal Name: Water Environment Research Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 70; ISSN WAERED; ISSN 1061-4303
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
METALS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
SLUDGES
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WATER POLLUTION ABATEMENT
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS