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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
Published on: January 7, 2019
Wastewater Colloidal Organic Carbon: Characterization of Filtration Fractions Using 1H NMR
Kerry N McPhedran1, Rajesh Seth
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada.
Abstract:
The current study separates colloidal organic carbon (COC) of municipal wastewater using membrane and ultrafiltration filters followed by characterization using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and UV absorbance with the goal of determination of size-specific characteristics, which may be used to correlate contaminant partitioning to natural COC. Passing fractions included 49.7, 44.8, 39.3, and 33.1 mg/L COC for filter sizes 1.5 μm, 0.45 μm, 100 kDa, and 1 kDa, respectively. The methodology used for processing COC prior to 1H NMR characterization was novel and successful in concentrating COC without modification of structures, which is the general drawback of other separation techniques such as resin extractions. This concentration technique is quite simple (i.e., not dependent on specialized instrumentation) and allows much shorter NMR experimental durations saving time and cost of analysis. Further work using NMR techniques will allow for greater understanding of COC molecular characteristics and be valuable for use in predictive modeling improvements.
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