Optimization of NOM removal during water treatment

The aim of this paper is to describe the removal efficiency of individual fractions of natural organic matter (NOM) and the aluminum transformation during treatment of two types of surface water with an increased concentration of NOM of various origins. The coagulation conditions (dose of destabilization reagent and reaction pH value) were optimized for the best NOM and aluminum removal. The results show that the NOM removal efficiency depends on the NOM character, using destabilizing reagents and reaction conditions. The optimized doses of destabilization reagents influence especially the removal of hydrophilic charged (CHA) and very hydrophobic acids (VHA) fractions during treatment of both types of raw water. In contrast to this, the removal of hydrophilic neutral (NEU) fraction is very low (phi(NEU)=0.13-0.22). The optimal destabilization reagent dosage is characterized by the lowest content of the total reactive aluminum concentration and relatively low concentration of dissolved organic aluminum.