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Why do we study ATOM?
Why do we study ATOM?
To begin with, what actually is ATOM?
ATOM, or aquatic and terrestrial organic matter, are dissolved organic matters (DOM) which present in all water bodies and landmasses, including both marine and freshwater environments.
Why does ATOM matter?
ATOM is crucial as it supplies essential minerals that support the growth and development of living organisms living in either water or soil. It plays a role in photosynthesis for aquatic plants and provides dissolved oxygen needed for respiration in both aquatic plants and animals.
Aquatic and Terrestrial Organic Matter (ATOM) represents a variety of living and dead organic materials in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, from millimeter-scale organic debris degraded from plants and animals, as well as living microorganisms such as zooplankton and phytoplankton to nanometer-scale small organic molecules such as protein and carbohydrates.
Organic matters undergone different pathway of journey with different biochemical processes will possess differentiate characteristics and properties that can understood as the blood cell of nature. By interpreting organic matters we will be able to understand the entire history and life journey ATOM comprised of.
ATOM likens the blood and muscle of an ecosystem
ATOM likens the blood and muscle of an ecosystem
Atmospheric Particles
Raindrops
Black Carbon
Terrestrial Plants
Throughfall and Stemfall
Soil
Freshwater Sediment
Blue Carbon
Ocean
Marine Sediments
Our lab research group studies the budgets and chemistry of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in source water and soil. Specific analyses include optical properties, elemental composition, abundance of functional moieties, degradability, halogenated reactivity, and treat-ability in forming disinfection byproducts (DBPs). We have employed instrumental analyses such as fluorescence spectroscopy, pyrolysis gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier Transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, thermodynamic and kinetic calculations, controlled field and laboratory experiments, and watershed scale monitoring to study DOM dynamic in different water bodies under the influence of climate and land use changes.
Metrohm-Combustion IC
Water Quality - How DOM impact our life:
Water Quality - How DOM impact our life:
Water treatment
Water treatment
Disinfectants such as Chlorine is introduced to the source water to eliminate the occurrence of bacteria and pathogens. Natural organic matter such as humic acid (precursor of DBPs) from source water is then treated with the addition of Chlorine and eventually formed halogenated chemicals which is also named Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs).
Chloroform (CHCl3) is the most commonly observed DBPs in tap water and most of identified DBPs are carcinogenic and mutagenic. It contacted with human due to showering and dishwashing. Thus, our team aim to minimize DBP formation in municipal water in 4 ways:
1. imply alternative disinfectants
2. improve and advance treatment process
3. remove DBPs precursors
4. control DBPs precursors at its source --- our ulitmate goal among the four approaches
various DBP in treated water
Wildfire on source water
Wildfire on source water
Post-fire surface runoff generate opportunity to understand how wildfire can tailor source water quality:
composition of sediment and nutrients will be amened
toxicity of water will be boosted with the existence of metals like Hg and Cr
DBP formation is initiated which construct water treat-ability challenges
Forest detritus is a major terrestrial source of DOM in source water and also an ignition source of forest fire. Moreover, DOM is a precursor of carcinogenic DBPs during drinking water treatment (previously mentioned above). Prescribed fire and thinning are then introduced and applied to serve as a fuel reduction technique which can control DBP precursors at its source.
For your interest:
For your interest:
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