Shedding light on water treatment processes using mass spectrometry

Effective water treatment is essential for producing safe drinking water, particularly for removing organic contaminants and naturally occurring dissolved organic matter (DOM), which can react during disinfection to form harmful byproducts. Understanding the underlying chemical processes involved in water treatment is greatly enhanced by the application of advanced analytical tools. Specifically, mass spectrometry (MS) provides valuable insights into the complexity of DOM and its transformation during drinking water treatment. This seminar will discuss how diUerent MS ionization techniques can provide a more comprehensive characterization of DOM. Application of these techniques has improved our understanding of DOM transformations in drinking water processes, including those induced by permanganate oxidation and chlorination. Moreover, expanding beyond the conventional analytical techniques has led to the discovery of previously unknown disinfection byproducts. These examples highlight how mass spectrometry not only advances our understanding of water treatment processes but also contributes to safer and more eUective practices.

Speaker: Juliana Laszakovits, ETH, Zurich

Attend in person or online.  See weblink