An overview of the methods used in the characterisation of natural organic matter (NOM) in relation to drinking water treatment.

Natural organic matter (NOM) is found in all surface, ground and soil waters. During recent decades, reports worldwide show a continuing increase in the color and NOM of the surface water, which has an adverse affect on drinking water purification. For several practical and hygienic reasons, the presence of NOM is undesirable in drinking water.

Environmental impact of mining activities on the surface water quality in Tibet: Gyama valley.

Nearly 20years of industrial scale metal mining operations in Tibet have caused an impact on the region's surface water quality. However, no information with respect to the pollution has been provided to the public. The aim of this work was to evaluate the chemical quality of the stream water and to assess the present and future potential risks of acid mine drainage to the regional and downstream environments.

Water quality in the Tibetan Plateau: major ions and trace elements in the headwaters of four major Asian rivers.

The Tibetan Plateau covers an area of about one fourth of Europe, has an average elevation over 4000m above sea level, and is the water sources for about 40% of world's population. In order to foresee future changes in water quality, it is important to understand what pressures are governing the spatial variation in water chemistry. In this paper the chemistry including major ions and trace elements in the headwaters of four major Asian rivers (i.

Water quality in the Tibetan Plateau: metal contents of four selected rivers.

The water used by 85% of the Asian population originates in Tibetan Plateau. During April and May of 2006, water samples were collected from four major Asian rivers in the Plateau (i.e.

Reduced analytical availability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) in colored surface water.

It has been generally accepted, during the last few decades, that the dissolved natural organic matter in water [DNOM] appearing as yellow brownish color, has become more and more "polluted" by inorganic and organic micro-pollutants. Due to the complexing properties of NOM, lipophilic organic micro-pollutants, such as, PCBs will be mobilized into water together with the DNOM. A mixture of eight PCBs, with Cl-content from tri-Cl to hepta-Cl, was added to solutions of ten different DNOMs.

Natural organic matter (NOM) in a limed lake and its tributaries.

The chemistry of a limed lake and its main tributaries were studied for 3 years (1992-94) with an emphasis on natural organic matter (NOM). Increased transparency and decreased water colour indicated a general reduction of NOM in the lake. Increased A(254 nm)/A(410 nm) ratios in the epilimnion during summer and early autumn suggested degradation of higher molecular size organic matter into low molecular size NOM.