Photochemical release of dissolved organic matter from particulate organic matter: Spectroscopic characteristics and disinfection by-product formation potential.

In this study, we investigated the photochemical release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the particulate organic matter (POM) of soil and litter leaves (broad leaves; coniferous leaves) and compared the releasing characteristics of the DOM using UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The disinfection by-product formation potential (DBPFP) of the released DOM was also examined. Additional dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was released by UV irradiation for all POM sources (10.58 ±â€¯2.7 mg-C L-1 g-1 for BL, 8.32 ±â€¯2.6 mg-C L-1 g-1 for CL, and 0.20 ±â€¯0.1 mg-C L-1 g-1 for soil). The excitation-emission matrix combined with parallel factor analysis results showed that the photo-released DOM from soil was mainly humic-like components (C1, C3) produced by photodesorption, resulting in high trihalomethane formation potential, while protein-like component (C2) was the major component of the photodissolved DOM from litter leaves, resulting in high haloaceticacid formation potential. Further, DBPFP from soil and litter leaves showed high correlation with humic-like components (C1+C3) and SUVA254, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that significant amounts of DOM could be released from POM under UV irradiation, although the characteristics and DBP formation of the photo-released DOM were highly dependent upon the POM source.

Characterization of aquatic organic matter: Assessment, perspectives and research priorities.

Organic matter (OM) refers to the largest reactive reservoir of carbon-based compounds on Earth. Aside of its role as a source of carbon, OM is also actively involved in a wide range of ecological functions. It also plays an important role in the solubility, toxicity, bioavailability, mobility and distribution of pollutants. Therefore, OM is a key component in the local and global carbon cycle. About 12,000 articles containing organic matter in the title were published during the past decade, with a continuous increasing number each year (ISI Web of Science). Although this topic was widely explored and its interest has significantly increased, some limitations remain. These limitations can be technical (e.g., pre-treatment processes, low-resolution instrument, data handling) and can be related to the current approach. In this review, we first present the current strategies and tools to characterize the organic matter in the aquatic environment, then we tackle several aspects of current characterization limitations. Finally, we suggest new perspectives and priorities of research to improve the current limitations. From our point of view, simultaneous studies of particulate and dissolved OM fractions should be prioritized and multi-disciplinary approach, creation of databases, controlled experiments and collaborative works should be the next targets for future OM research priorities.