Drinking Water Treatment and Removal of Natural Organic Matter

Dear Colleagues,

The removal of natural organic matter (NOM) has been a challenge for several decades, especially in countries of the Boreal climate. Because of their large molecule size and ability to form complexes with pollutants, for example metals, and change their properties, NOM often governs the selection of water treatment methods. Although several methods, including enhanced coagulation, anion-exchange, nanofiltration, and biosorption are being used today, there is still no state-of-the-art technology that has been widely accepted by the water industry as efficient and cost-efficient. This is partly due to the diverse properties of NOM, which depend on its genesis and transformation, and partly due to its recalcitrant nature, which makes it biologically difficult to degrade. There has been significant advancement in the way natural NOM is being analysed and in the properties of its main components (humic substances), thus opening new opportunities for novel water treatment methods and understanding of disinfection by-products.

This Special Issue is aimed at addressing advancement in the removal of NOM from drinking water using both conventional and advanced methods of biological treatment (e.g. with fungi), advanced oxidation, photocatalytical transformation, and membrane filtration. Nature-based solutions for the pre-treatment of humic-rich water including artificial groundwater recharge will also be included. The effect of NOM on the biofouling of membranes as well as on water quality in distribution networks and by-product formation will be addressed. Moreover, topics addressing NOM formation in nature, its relation to climate change and the water–energy nexus are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Talis Juhna
Prof. Dr. Maris Klavins
Guest Editors

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