Problems of Baseline Construction for Calculation of Molecular Weight Averages in Size Exclusion Chromatography

Participation of strong charge-assisted hydrogen bonds in interactions of dissolved organic matter represented by Suwannee River Humic Acid

Terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays critical roles in many biotic and abiotic environmental reactions as well as in water treatment. Its structure is therefore of great interest. We examined dissolved Suwannee River Humic Acid (HA) to probe the potential participation of exceptionally strong, negative charge-assisted hydrogen bonds, (-)CAHB, in DOM cohesion and interaction with small weak acids using high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), transmission electron microscopy, zeta-pH curves, and pH drift experiments. The results support a previously proposed two-tier state of aggregation, in which tightly-knit primary particles (≤ ∼10 kDa) form larger secondary aggregates (up to micrometer in size). Evidence for (-)CAHB is gained through zeta potential changes and pH drift experiments. The primary particles interact with (-)CAHB-capable solutes (simple carboxylic acids and phosphate) but not (-)CAHB-incapable solutes. We identified disruption of intra-segmental and inter-molecular (-)CAHB leading to swelling and disaggregation, as well as formation of nouveau (-)CAHB with free groups on HA. The effects were solute-concentration dependent and greater at pH 5 than pH 6, consistent with CAHB theory. Phosphate induced the greatest shifts in the HPSEC molecular size distribution curves. The shifts were unaffected by prior stripping of innate polyvalent metals. We conclude that the (-)CAHB contributes to the cohesion of DOM, affecting its size and charge, and provides a means by which weak acid pollutants, nutrients, and natural compounds can interact with DOM. Such interactions have implications for the behavior of DOM in the environment, the fate and transport of anthropogenic pollutants, and the roles DOM play in water treatment technologies.

Varations of molecular weight estimation by HP-size exclusion chromatography with UVA versus online DOC detection

High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with ultraviolet absorbance (UVA) detection has been widely utilized to estimate the molecular weight (MW) and MW distribution of natural organic matter (NOM). However, the estimation of MW with UVA detection is inherently inaccurate because UVA at 254 nm only detects limited components (mostly pi bonded molecules) of NOM, and the molar absorptivity of these different NOM constituents is not equal. In comparison, a SEC chromatogram obtained with a DOC detector showed significant differences compared to a corresponding UVA chromatogram, resulting in different MW values as well as different estimates of polydispersivity. The MWs of Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA), Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA), and various mixtures thereof were estimated with HPSEC coupled with UVA and DOC detectors. The results show that UVA is not an adequate detector for quantitative analysis of MW estimation but rather can be used only for limited qualitative analysis. The NOM in several natural waters (Irvine Ranch, California groundwater, and Barr Lake, Colorado surface water) were also characterized to demonstrate the different MWs obtained with the two detectors. The results of the SEC-DOC chromatograms revealed NOM constituent peaks that went undetected by UVA. Utilizing online DOC detection, a better representation of NOM MWs was suggested, with NOM displaying higher weight-averaged MW (Mw) and lower number-averaged MW (Mn) as well as higher polydispersivity. A method for estimation of the MWs of NOM fractional components and polydispersivities is presented.