Turnover mechanisms of organic conformation on turbidity in drinking water

Abstract

The turbidity variation in artificial water and samples from a water plant was investigated in the presence of organics with different relative molecular mass. The results show that recessive turbidity existed when water chemical conditions were changing. The formation of turbidity depended on organic relative molecular mass and their conformations on particles. At higher pH and lower ionic strength, the organic chains with a more extended conformation resulted in rising turbidity of the suspension. At lower pH, the reconformation of organics took place due to charge neutralization by the proton, resulting in a decline in turbidity. The addition of NaCl and MgCl₂ at pH 7.00 also resulted in a decrease of turbidity in the suspension. It is believed that the occurrence of recessive turbidity has a significant influence on the stability of water supply quality.