Natural organic matter (NOM) has been shown to form undesirable disinfection byproducts
(DBPs). Since the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) promulgated the Stage 1 disinfection byproducts rule
(Stage 1 DBPR) in 1998, the removal of NOM, as a DBP precursor, has been regulated
by enhanced coagulation. The MIEX¿ DOC resin targets the removal of anionic
constituents of NOM by exchanging the sites between anionic functional groups (e.g.,
carboxylic acids) and chloride ion (Cl-). This research has focused on characterization of
MIEX adsorption of NOM isolates and bulk NOM from natural waters. An enhanced
coagulation matrix (source waters with varying total organic carbon (TOC) and alkalinity) was used as a
framework for identifying and selecting natural waters from around the U.S. In all cases,
based on XAD 8/4 resin fractionation of raw and MIEX treated waters, effective
removals of hydrophobic, transphilic, and hydrophilic NOM acids were observed. The
removals of transphilic and hydrophilic (low molecular weight) acids are noteworthy,
given the ineffectiveness of coagulation in removing these polar NOM fractions. Includes 4 references, tables, figures.