Membrane Ultrafiltration for Apparent Molecular Weight Distributions of Dissolved Organic Matter

Apparent MWDs of DOM in natural waters and swine wastewaters were determined through membrane ultrafiltration. The nominal MWCOs of ultrafiltration membranes by the manufacturer were confirmed to be similar with those obtained from the ultrafiltration procedures employed in this study using six MW standard compounds. Natural waters showed a wide range of MWOs, but 62.4~87.5% were in the range of MW<10K. High MW fractions were preferentially removed through water treatment processes. Swine wastewater showed two major ranges of MWDs, 49.0% in <1K and 36% in >50k while anaerobically treated swine wastewaters showed 17.5~18.0% in <1K and 53.0~58.8% in <50K. The overall DOM was reduced during anaerobic treatment by 76.8~80.0% as COD; however. the percentage of low MW fractions decreased and that of the high MW fractions increased.