Molecular fractionation characteristics of biomass-pyrogenic smoke-derived dissolved organic matter on the surface of ferrihydrite

YAO Shu-xin; ZHONG Yin-hua; XU Yi-xin; ZHANG Hui-ying; CHEN Wei-feng; NI Jin-zhi; WEI Ran

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China Environmental Science ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (10) : 5422-5434.

Molecular fractionation characteristics of biomass-pyrogenic smoke-derived dissolved organic matter on the surface of ferrihydrite

YAO Shu-xin¹, ZHONG Yin-hua¹, XU Yi-xin¹, ZHANG Hui-ying¹, CHEN Wei-feng², NI Jin-zhi^1,2, WEI Ran^1,3

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Abstract

In order to explore the fractionation characteristics and mechanisms of biomass-pyrogenic smoke-derived dissolved organic matter (BSDOM) on ferrihydrite, this study selected BSDOM derived from three biomass sources (fir-wood chips, rice straw, and alfalfa) to investigate its adsorption on ferrihydrite. The organic compositions and molecular variations of BSDOM in the solution before and after fractionation were characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that BSDOM primarily consisted of protein-like substances(57%~75%), with cation-π interactions identified as the dominant adsorption mechanism. High molecular weight and highly aromatic compounds exhibited stronger adsorption affinity to ferrihydrite, with polyphenols being preferentially adsorbed. The results demonstrated that acidic conditions enhanced cation-π interactions and ligand exchange between ferrihydrite and BSDOM, thereby promoting adsorption. At high pH(10.0~12.0), the adsorption of polyphenols and short-wave protein-like substances increased, likely due to hydrogen bonding. In contrast, the adsorption of long-wave protein-like substances and humic-like substances decreased, primarily because of increased electrostatic repulsion. This study elucidates the fractionation characteristics of BSDOM on ferrihydrite surfaces at a molecular level, providing insights into the cross-media environmental behavior of BSDOM in surface environments.

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biomass-pyrogenic smoke-derived dissolved organic matter / ferrihydrite / fractionation / organic components / pH

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YAO Shu-xin, ZHONG Yin-hua, XU Yi-xin, ZHANG Hui-ying, CHEN Wei-feng, NI Jin-zhi, WEI Ran. Molecular fractionation characteristics of biomass-pyrogenic smoke-derived dissolved organic matter on the surface of ferrihydrite[J]. China Environmental Science. 2025, 45(10): 5422-5434

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