Biodegradation of NOM: effect of NOM source and ozone dose

Abstract

Batch experiments proved to be effective for obtaining a preliminary estimate of the biodegradation potential of NOM. Batch degradation experiments were conducted to evaluate the extent of biodegradation of natural organic matter (NOM) as a function of ozone dosage. Four NOM sources that might be encountered in drinking water treatment were characterized and tested. The biodegradability of all sources was enhanced as the ozone dose was increased from 0 to 7.3 mg ozone/mg total organic carbon (TOC). Increased ozonation resulted in cnsistently improved TOC removals for NOM souces having a large fraction of high‐molecular‐weight organics. Greater biodegradation was observed for the unozonated sources with lower UV‐absorpotion ‐to‐TOC rations and larger fraction of low‐molecular‐weight organics.