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Temporal Dynamics and Intermediate Product Formation in DOM Phototransformation Revealed by Liquid Chromatography
Peter Herzsprung1, Aleksandr Sobolev2, Wolf von Tümpling3
1UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Lake Research, Brückstraße 3a, Magdeburg D-39114, Germany.
Environmental Science & Technology
|June 28, 2025
Summary
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) reactivity was studied using high-resolution mass spectrometry. New insights into intermediate products and their varying reactivities were revealed, aiding water treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Dissolved organic matter (DOM) complexity is well-studied, but its reactivity remains unclear due to limited high-resolution temporal data.
- Isomeric overlap in DOM hinders the study of component transformation based on chemical properties like polarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of DOM transformation under photo-irradiation with high temporal resolution.
- To resolve isomeric DOM composition across a polarity range using online ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-UHRMS).
- To identify and characterize intermediate products (IntP) and their reactivities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized TiO2-aided photo-irradiation of wastewater treatment plant effluent.
- Employed high temporal sampling resolution (8 time points over 5 hours).
- Applied online UHPLC-UHRMS to analyze DOM composition and transformation.
Main Results:
- Identified new products (<10%), removed components (25-60%), and significant intermediate products (20-60%) within distinct polarity fractions.
- Found a positive correlation between the H/C ratio of IntP and the time to reach peak concentration.
- Observed differential reactivity for approximately 35% of DOM components across different polarity fractions.
Conclusions:
- The developed approach provides high temporal resolution for studying DOM reactivity and transformation.
- Offers new perspectives for biogeochemical interpretation of DOM.
- Provides crucial information for optimizing drinking water processing and wastewater treatment by identifying potentially toxic intermediate products.
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