Size exclusion chromatography for analysis of water treatment

作为优化水处理目标的一部分，达尔豪斯大学水质研究实验室计划开发新的工具和策略，为水工业提供更好的管理能力，以管理分水岭中的天然有机物质（NOM）和微生物影响。目前水行业的实践依赖于替代测量，如总有机碳（TOC），以评估去除NOM的效果。鉴于即将出台的法规和更有效地管理水处理的需要，在水处理和供水过程中改善NOM的特性是很重要的。一种先进的技术将是通过尺寸排除色谱（SEC）来确定NOM的分子量分布，以更好地识别功能基团（如蛋白质、腐植酸）。SEC将为鉴定消毒副产物（DBPs）的前体和膜污染的化合物提供有用的工具。此外，SEC将带领我们的团队更好地了解微生物生物膜在处理和分配系统中的作用。达尔豪斯大学的研究小组特别感兴趣的是生物膜周围有机物质的特征。对这种细胞外物质的分子量谱进行评估将有助于监测消毒剂和营养条件对生物膜形成的影响，为生物膜管理提供有用的信息。

As part of the goals in optimizing water treatment, the Water Quality Research Laboratory at Dalhousie University plans to develop novel tools and strategies that will provide the water industry with improved capabilities for management of natural organic matter (NOM) and microbial impacts in the watershed. Current practice in the water industry relies on surrogate measurements, such as total organic carbon (TOC), to assess the efficacy of NOM removal. In light of upcoming regulation and the need to mange water treatment more efficiently, it is important to improve characterisation of NOM during treatment and supply of water. One advanced technique will be to determine the molecular weight distribution of NOM by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to better identify functional groups (e.g. protein, humic acids). SEC would provide a useful tool for identifying precursors of disinfectant by-products (DBPs) and compounds responsible for membrane fouling. In addition, SEC will lead our team to better understand the role of microbial biofilm in treatment and distribution systems. Of particular interest to the research team at Dalhousie University is the characterization of the organic material surrounding the biofilm. An assessment of the molecular weight profile of this extra-cellular mass will help in monitoring the effect of disinfectants and nutrient conditions on biofilm formation providing useful information for biofilm management.