In: Chemistry
Explain why high concentrations of organic matter in drinking water can cause serious problems. Describe how organic matter in drinking waters can be measured
Organic matter or Natural organic matter (NOM) is mainly made up of carbon based compounds. The increased concentration of organic matter in water bodies especially in drinking water can cause severe problems which can be even fatal. Organic matter concentration is responsible to increase the harmful disinfection by products which causes bladder cancer and are also responsible in disturbing reproductivity particularly during pregnancy time.
Organic matter is characterised by various factors like hydrophobicity,molecular weight, aromaticity, functional groups etc. The most reliable methods used are quantifying organic matter, estimating hydrophobicity by UV absorbance method and identifying oxidation potential.