Removal mechanism of natural organic matter and organic acid by ozone in the presence of goethite

The oxidations of natural organic matter (NOM) and a model compound (p-chlorobenzoic acid) were characterized using ozonation and catalytic ozonation processes. In general, the catalytic ozonation showed better performance in the removal of organics tested in the study. The hydrophobic, transphilic, and hydrophilic NOM fractions were isolated using XAD-8 and -4 resins to evaluate the reaction characteristics. The catalytic ozonation in the presence of goethite accomplished the higher removal of NOM with simultaneous reduction of the three fractions than the ozonation which removed the hydrophobic portion only. The analysis of discrete size distributions of NOM revealed that ozonation yielded a removal of >1,000 MW and an increase of <1,000 MW, whereas all molecular weight fractions reduced after catalytic ozonation. The concentrations of model compound and aqueous and gaseous ozone were monitored during the oxidations, and efficiencies were compared for cases in the absence and presence of iron oxide (FeOOH).