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Abstract
Algogenic organic matter (AOM) can interfere with drinking water treatment processes
and comprehensive characterisation of AOM will be informative with respect to treatability.
This paper characterises the AOM originating from four algae species (Chlorella vulgaris,
Microcystis aeruginosa, Asterionella formosa and Melosira sp.) using techniques including
dissolved organic carbon (DOC), specific UV absorbance (SUVA), zeta potential, charge
density, hydrophobicity, protein and carbohydrate content, molecular weight and fluorescence.
All AOM was predominantly hydrophilic with a low SUVA. AOM had negative zeta potential
values in the range pH 2-10. The stationary phase charge density of AOM from C. vulgaris
was greatest at 3.2 meq g(-1) while that of M. aeruginosa and Melosira sp. was negligible.
Lower charge density was related to higher hydrophobicity, while it was related in
turn to increasing proteins >500 kDa:carbohydrate ratio. This demonstrates that AOM
is of a very different character to natural organic matter (NOM).