Tracking the reactivity of ozonation towards effluent organic matters from WWTP using two-dimensional correlation spectra

The characteristics of effluent organic matter(EfOM) from a wastewater treatment plant(WWTP) during ozonation were investigated using excitation and emission matrix(EEM)spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and high-performance size exclusion chromatography(HPSEC) at different ozone dosages. The selectivity of ozonation towards different constituents and functional groups was analysed using two-dimensional correlation spectra(2D-COS) probed by FT-IR, synchronous fluorescence spectra and HPSEC.The results indicated that ozonation can destroy aromatic structures of EfOM and change its molecular weight distribution(MWD). According to 2D-COS analysis, microbial humiclike substances were preferentially removed, and then the protein-like fractions. Terrestrial humic-like components exhibited inactivity towards ozonation compared with the above two fractions. Protein-like substances with small molecular weight were preferentially reacted during ozonation based on 2D-COS probed by HPSEC. In addition, the selectivity of ozone towards different functional groups of EfOM exhibited the following sequence:phenolic and alcoholic C\O groups > aromatic structures containing C_C double bonds >aliphatic C\H. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) further elucidated the preferential reaction of aromatic structures in EfOM during ozonation.