Abstract
This study systematically investigated the relationship between the structure properties and biological characteristics of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in the effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Ultrafiltration, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure of organic matters in the effluent samples, and the bioavailability of DON was determined by algal/bacterial-based bioassay. The quantitative analysis of EEM spectra conducted by fluorescence regional integration method showed that the organic portion of all samples was mainly consistent with fulvic acid and protein. Combined with the bioassay results, a positive correlation between the DON bioavailability and the protein content (sum of region I and region II) (r = 0.80, P < 0.02) and soluble microbial byproduct-like materials (region IV) (r = 0.76, P < 0.03) were observed. Nevertheless, the humic substances content represented by the region III and V would negatively affect the DON bioavailability. High humification degree (high HIX value) (r = − 0.77, P < 0.03) was related to low bioavailability. Furthermore, according to UV spectroscopy results, strong aromaticity (high UV254 values) (r = − 0.78, P < 0.03) suggested low DON bioavailability. One protein-like component (C3) and two humic-like components (C1 and C2) were identified via fluorescence excitation-emission matrices-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), and component C3 values were positively correlated to the BAN/DON ratio (r = 0.74, P < 0.03). The ultrafiltration showed that the low molecular weight DON (< 3 kDa) accounted for 30–73% of the total DON, and no notable relationship was observed for DON molecular weight and its bioavailability.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).
References
Abdulla HAN, Minor EC, Dias RF, Hatcher PG (2010) Changes in the compound classes of dissolved organic matter along an estuarine transect: a study using FTIR and 13C NMR. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 74:3815–3838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.006
Antia NJ, Harrison PJ, Oliveira L (1991) The role of dissolved organic nitrogen in phytoplankton nutrition, cell biology and ecology. Phycologia 30:1–89. https://doi.org/10.2216/i0031-8884-30-1-1.1
Berman T, Bronk D (2003) Dissolved organic nitrogen: a dynamic participant in aquatic ecosystems. Aquat Microb Ecol 31:279–305. https://doi.org/10.3354/ame031279
Chao Q, Liu H, Sedlak DL (2015) Bioavailability and characterization of dissolved organic nitrogen and dissolved organic phosphorus in wastewater effluents. Sci Total Environ 511:47–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.005
Chen W, Westerhoff P, Leenheer JA, Booksh K (2015) Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix regional integration to quantify spectra for dissolved organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 37:5701–5710. https://doi.org/10.1021/es034354c
Cory RM, McKnight DM (2005) Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals ubiquitous presence of oxidized and reduced quinones in dissolved organic matter. Environ Sci Technol 39:8142–8149. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0506962
Clescerl LS, Greenberg AE, Eaton AD (1998) Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater, 20th edn. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC
Cui HY, Zhang SB, Wei ZM (2019) Parallel faction analysis combined with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy reveal the characteristics of mercury-composting-derived dissolved organic matter interactions. J Hazard Mater 384:235–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121395
Cuss CW, Donner MW, Shotyk W (2019) EEM-PARAFAC-SOM for assessing variation in the quality of dissolved organic matter: simultaneous detection of differences by source and season. Environ Chem 16:360–374. https://doi.org/10.1071/en19016
Eom H, Borgatti D, Paerl HW, Park C (2017) Formation of low-molecular-weight dissolved organic nitrogen in predenitrification biological nutrient removal systems and its impact on eutrophication in coastal waters. Environ Sci Technol 51:3776–3783. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b06576
Fan L, Brett MT, Jiang W, Li B (2017a) Dissolved organic nitrogen recalcitrance and bioavailable nitrogen quantification for effluents from advanced nitrogen removal wastewater treatment facilities. Environ Pollut 229:255–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.093
Fan L, Brett MT, Li B, Song M (2017b) The bioavailability of different dissolved organic nitrogen compounds for the freshwater algae Raphidocelis subcapitata. Sci Total Environ 618:479–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.096
Fan L, Brett MT, Li B, Song MM (2018) The bioavailability of different dissolved organic nitrogen compounds for the freshwater algae Raphidocelis subcapitata. Sci Total Environ 618:479–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.096
Fan L, Brett MT, Li B (2020) The influence of alum based nutrient removal process on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of phosphorus in the paper processing facility effluent. Sci Total Environ 721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137724
Feng W, Liu S, Li C (2018) Algal uptake of hydrophilic and hydrophobic dissolved organic nitrogen in the eutrophic lakes. Chemosphere 214:295–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.070
Fiedler D, Graeber D, Badrian M, Köhler J (2015) Growth response of four freshwater algal species to dissolved organic nitrogen of different concentration and complexity. Freshw Biol 60:1613–1621. https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12593
Gandois L, Cobb AR, Hei IC, Lim L, Salim KA, Harvey CF (2013) Impact of deforestation on solid and dissolved organic matter characteristics of tropical peat forests: implications for carbon release. Biogeochemistry 114:183–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-012-9799-8
Giovanela M, Parlanti E, Soriano-Sierra EJ, Soldi MS, Sierra MMD (2004) Elemental compositions, FT-IR spectra and thermal behavior of sedimentary fulvic and humic acids from aquatic and terrestrial environments. Geochem J 38:255–264. https://doi.org/10.2343/geochemj.38.255
Guang Y, Mei C, Si J (2018) Evaluation of CDOM sources and their links with antibiotics in the rivers dividing China and North Korea using fluorescence spectroscopy. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:27545–27560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2773-9
Howarth RW (2004) Human acceleration of the nitrogen cycle: drivers, consequences, and steps toward solutions. Water Sci Technol 49:276–293. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2004.0731
Hua L, Lin J, Chen P, Huang C (2017) Chemical structures of extra- and intra-cellular algogenic organic matters as precursors to the formation of carbonaceous disinfection byproducts. Chem Eng J 328:1022–1030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.07.123
Huang G, Liu C, Zhang Y, Chen Z (2020) Groundwater is important for the geochemical cycling of phosphorus in rapidly urbanized areas: a case study in the Pearl River Delta. Environ Pollut 260:731–743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114079
Huguet A, Vacher L, Relexans S, Saubusse S, Parlanti E (2008) Properties of fluorescent dissolved organic matter in the gironde estuary. Org Geochem 40:706–719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2009.03.002
Huo SL, Xi BD, Yu HL, Qin YW, Zan FY, Zhang JT (2013) Characteristics and transformations of dissolved organic nitrogen in municipal biological nitrogen removal wastewater treatment plants. Environ Res Lett 8:005–044. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/4/044005
Huovinen PS, Penttila H, Soimasuo MR (2003) Spectral attenuation of solar ultraviolet radiation in humic lakes in Central Finland. Chemosphere 51:205–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00634-3
Jamieson T, Sager E, Guéguen C (2014) Characterization of biochar-derived dissolved organic matter using UV–visible absorption and excitation–emission fluorescence spectroscopies. Chemosphere 103:197–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.11.066
Kumari M, Gupta SK (2019) A novel process of adsorption cum enhanced coagulation-flocculation spiked with magnetic nanoadsorbents for the removal of aromatic and hydrophobic fraction of natural organic matter along with turbidity from drinking water. J Clean Prod 244:371–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118899
Lee W, Westerhoff P (2006) Dissolved organic nitrogen removal during water treatment by aluminum sulfate and cationic polymer coagulation. Water Res 40:3767–3774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2006.08.008
Liao K, Hu H, Ren H (2020) Combined influences of process parameters on microorganism-derived dissolved organic nitrogen (mDON) formation at low temperatures: multivariable statistical and systematic analysis. Sci Total Environ 744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140732
Liu H, Jeong J, Gray H, Smith S, Sedlak DL (2011) Algal uptake of hydrophobic and hydrophilic dissolved organic nitrogen in effluent from biological nutrient removal municipal wastewater treatment systems. Environ Sci Technol 46:713–721. https://doi.org/10.1021/es203085y
Maie N, Parish KJ, Watanabe A, Knicker H (2006) Chemical characteristics of dissolved organic nitrogen in an oligotrophic subtropical coastal ecosystem. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 70:4491–4506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2006.06.1554
Miller WE, Greene JC, Shiroyama T (1978) The selenastrum capricornutum printz algal assay bottle test: experimental design, application, and data interpretation protocol. New Phytol 619. https://doi.org/10.1016/0143-1471(80)90174-9
Nishijima W, Speitel GE (2004) Fate of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon produced by ozonation on biological activated carbon. Chemosphere 56:113–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.03.009
Pavia DL, Lampman GM, Kriz GS (2009) Introduction to spectroscopy : a guide for students of organic chemistry. Brooks/Cole
Sharma P, Laor Y, Raviv M, Medina S, Borisover M (2017) Compositional characteristics of organic matter and its water-extractable components across a profile of organically managed soil. Geoderma 286:73–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.10.014
Stedmon CA, Markager S (2005) Resolving the variability in dissolved organic matter fluorescence in a temperate estuary and its catchment using PARAFAC analysis. Limnol Oceanogr 50:686–697. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2005.50.2.0686
Sun W, Yue D, Song J, Nie Y (2018) Adsorption removal of refractory organic matter in bio-treated municipal solid waste landfill leachate by anion exchange resins. Waste Manag 81:61–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.10.005
Tan Y, Lin T, Chen W, Zhou D (2017) Effect of organic molecular weight distribution on membrane fouling in an ultrafiltration system with ozone oxidation from the perspective of interaction energy. Environ Sci Wat Res 3:1132–1142. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EW00212B
Tang G, Li B, Zhang B, Wang C (2021) Dynamics of dissolved organic matter and dissolved organic nitrogen during anaerobic/anoxic/oxic treatment processes. Bioresour Technol 331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125026
Velazquez-Jimenez LH, Pavlick A, Rangel-Mendez JR (2013) Chemical characterization of raw and treated agave bagasse and its potential as adsorbent of metal cations from water. Ind Crops Prod 43:200–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.06.049
Wei ZP, Lin C, Zhou SL, Xiong JF (2019) Deciphering the origins, composition and microbial fate of dissolved organic matter in agro-urban headwater streams. Sci Total Environ 659:1484–1495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.237
Yan C, Liu H, Sheng Y, Huang X, Nie M (2018) Fluorescence characterization of fractionated dissolved organic matter in the five tributaries of Poyang Lake, China. Sci Total Environ 637–638:1311–1320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.099
Yan Z, Na Y, Liang Z, Yan M, Xin Y (2021) Active dissolved organic nitrogen cycling hidden in large river and environmental implications. Sci Total Environ 795:33–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148882
Yan C, Liu J, Wei Z, Fan L (2022) Algal/bacterial uptake kinetics of dissolved organic nitrogen in municipal wastewater treatment facilities effluents. J Environ Manag 309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114719
Yang K, Zhang Y, Dong Y, Li W (2017) Selectivity of solid phase extraction for dissolved organic matter in the hypersaline Da Qaidam Lake, China. Environ Sci Process Impacts 19. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7em00263g
Yang Y, Ma X, Yang X, Xu H (2018) Influence of heavy metal ions on the spectra and charge characteristics of DOM of municipal sewage secondary effluent. Water Sci Technol 77. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2017.639
Zhai T, Zhang J, Huo S, Xi B, Su M (2016) Algal activity of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in the sediments of Lake Taihu, Eastern China. Environ Earth Sci 75:1496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6286-x
Zhang Y, Liang X, Xu L (2015) A novel approach combining self-organizing map and parallel factor analysis for monitoring water quality of watersheds under non-point source pollution. Sci Rep 5. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep16079
Zhang J, Su M, Xi B, Qian G, Huo S (2016) Algal uptake of dissolved organic nitrogen in wastewater treatment plants. J Environ Sci China 50:56–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2016.05.035
Funding
This study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province (2019YFH0111) and Sichuan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Sampling, investigation, and interpretation were performed by CY, Z, JL, and L. Review and editing were performed by CY, JC, and LF. Conceptualization and writing were performed by CY and LF. Initial idea, project manager, project leader, laboratory activity, and methodology were performed by LF. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Ta Yeong Wu
Publisher's note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yan, C., Wei, Z., Liu, J. et al. Quantitative study on the structure-bioavailability relationship of dissolved organic nitrogen in wastewater treatment plant effluent. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 80926–80936 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21567-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21567-2