Unraveling competition versus adsorbability of dissolved organic matter against organic micropollutants onto activated carbon

It was widely acknowledged that dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural water has ubiquitous competitiveness against micropollutants (OMPs) during adsorption onto activated carbon. However, some (model) low molecular weight organics have been reported to adsorb carbon, but were not competitive co-adsorbates. The objective of this study is identify which adsorbable DOM fractions contribute the competitiveness, and what impact OMP adsorbability initial concentration on competitiveness. We, therefore, disassociated OMPs (carbamazepine, caffeine sulfamethoxazole) using a two-stage procedure, removing various with powdered carbon pretreatment then unraveling remaining DOM. Our results demonstrated competition for all water, ∼ 25% competitive. poorly shown be non-competitive co-adsorbate, its complexation even elevated capacity one (carbamazepine). amount competitors increased weaker OMPs, at higher concentrations. variability competition, differentiated by adsorbability, advanced understanding from variable roles (varying competitiveness/complementary adsorption) differently adsorption.