Issue 8, 2017

The effect of probe choice and solution conditions on the apparent photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter

Abstract

Excited triplet states of dissolved organic matter (3DOM) are quantified directly with the species-specific probes trans,trans-hexadienoic acid (HDA) and 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (TMP), and indirectly with the singlet oxygen (1O2) probe furfuryl alcohol (FFA). Although previous work suggests that these probe compounds may be sensitive to solution conditions, including dissolved organic carbon concentration ([DOC]) and pH, and may quantify different 3DOM subpopulations, the probes have not been systematically compared. Therefore, we quantify the apparent photoreactivity of diverse environmental waters using HDA, TMP, and FFA. By conducting experiments under ambient [DOC] and pH, with standardized [DOC] and pH, and with solid phase extraction isolates, we demonstrate that much of the apparent dissimilarity in photochemical measurements is attributable to solution conditions, rather than intrinsic differences in 3DOM production. In general, apparent quantum yields (Φ1O2Φ3DOM,TMPΦ3DOM,HDA) and pseudo-steady state concentrations ([1O2]ss > [3DOM]ss,TMP > [3DOM]ss,HDA) show consistent relationships in all waters under standardized conditions. However, intrinsic differences in 3DOM photoreactivity are apparent between DOM from diverse sources, as seen in the higher Φ1O2 and lower Φ3DOM,TMP of wastewater effluents compared with oligotrophic lakes. Additionally, while conflicting trends in photoreactivity are observed under ambient conditions, all probes observe quantum yields increasing from surface wetlands to terrestrially influenced waters to oligotrophic lakes under standardized conditions. This work elucidates how probe selection and solution conditions influence the apparent photoreactivity of environmental waters and confirms that 3DOM or 1O2 probes cannot be used interchangeably in waters that vary in [DOC], pH, or DOM source.

Graphical abstract: The effect of probe choice and solution conditions on the apparent photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 Mai 2017
Accepted
29 Jun 2017
First published
30 Jun 2017

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2017,19, 1040-1050

The effect of probe choice and solution conditions on the apparent photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter

A. C. Maizel and C. K. Remucal, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2017, 19, 1040 DOI: 10.1039/C7EM00235A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements