Effects of fulvic acid and humic acid on aluminum speciation in drinking water
Wendong Wang , Hongwei Yang , Xiaochang Wang , Jing Jiang , Wanpeng Zhu
DOI:
Received April 17, 2009,Revised July 07, 2009, Accepted , Available online
Volume 22,2010,Pages 211-217
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This article focused on the influences of fulvic acid and humic acid on aluminum speciation in drinking water. Factors including
the concentration of residual chlorine and pH value had been concerned. Aluminum species investigated in the experiments included
inorganic mononuclear, organic mononuclear, mononuclear, polymer, soluble, and suspended forms. It was found that the e ects of
fulvic acid and humic acid on aluminum speciation depended mainly on their molecular weight. Fulvic acid with molecular weight
less than 5000 Dalton had little influence on aluminum speciation; while fulvic acid with molecular weight larger than 5000 Dalton
and humic acid would increase the concentration of soluble aluminum significantly even at concentration below 0.5 mg/L (calculated
as TOC). Aluminum species, in the present of fulvic acid with molecular weight larger than 5000 Dalton and humic acid, were more
stable than that in the present of fluvic acid with molecular mass less than 5000 Dalton, and varied little with reaction time. Within pH
range 6.5–7.5, soluble aluminum increased notably in water with organic matter. As the concentration of residual chlorine increased,
the e ects of fulvic acid and humic acid became weak. The reactions between humic acid, fulvic acid with large molecular weight, and
aluminum were considered to be a multi-dentate coordination process. With the consideration of aluminum bioavailability, reducing
the concentration of fulvic acid and humic acid and keeping the pH value among 6.5–7.5 were recommended during drinking water
treatment.
