Effects of Oxygenation Resuspension on DOM Composition and Its Role in Reducing Dissolved Manganese in Drinking Water Reservoirs

Mud whispers iron,
oxygen sings it silent—
clean water follows.
Dissolved oxygen (DO)
Manganese
Dissolved organic matter (DOM)
Sediment resuspension
Drinking water reservoir

ES&T2025: Ming Su#, Weiwei Li#, Changwei Lü, Min Yang, et. al. Effects of Oxygenation Resuspension on DOM Composition and Its Role in Reducing Dissolved Manganese in Drinking Water Reservoirs. Environmental Sciences & Technology 2025;XXX:XXXXXX. 10.1021/acs.est.5c00235.

Authors
Affiliations

Weiwei Li

Jiao Fang

Tengxin Cao

Yufan Ai

Changwei Lü

School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University. No.235 West College Road, Saihan, Hohhot, 010021, China

Jinbo Zhao

Ziyi Yang

Published

May 11, 2025

Doi

Abstract

Anaerobic conditions in source water sediments are a key driver of manganese (Mn) release in drinking water systems. Enhancing sediment oxidation can inhibit Mn release, but the mechanisms of Mn speciation under varying oxidative conditions remain unclear. This study examined sediment exposure to oxygenated water layers at controlled dissolved oxygen levels (0, 2, 5, 7 mg L-1) through laboratory simulations. Results showed Mn release is negatively correlated with DO (\(R^2=0.93\), \(p\)=0.034), with oxygen driving reactions between dissolved organic matter (C2 and C3 components) and forming functional groups (-OH, -COOH) that remove Mn through adsorption or complexation (C2: \(R^2\)=0.57, \(p\)<0.001; C3: \(R^2\)=0.53, \(p\)<0.001). Field studies in six reservoirs identified operational thresholds for sediment resuspension to mitigate Mn risks (compensation threshold: 17.4 μg L-1; risk threshold: China: 95.5 μg L-1; WHO: 70.8 μg L-1). These findings clarify Mn-organic matter interactions and can provide practical guidance for Mn and algae removal in source water systems.

Graphical abstract

Reference

Add to Zotero

@Article{su2025effects,
    title       = {Effects of Oxygenation Resuspension on DOM Composition and Its Role in Reducing Dissolved Manganese in Drinking Water Reservoirs},
    author      = {Ming Su and Weiwei Li and Jiao Fang and Tengxin Cao and Yufan Ai and Changwei Lü and Jinbo Zhao and Ziyi Yang and Min Yang},
    year        = 2025,
    journal     = {Envoronmental Science \& Technology},
    publisher   = {American Chemical Society},
    pages       = 1-12,
    url         = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c00235},
    doi         = {10.1021/acs.est.5c00235}
}