Comparison of Real Versus Synthetic NOM on Lead and Copper Release Using Dump and Fill Studies

The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the impact of real and synthetic NOM on lead and copper release from galvanic corrosion. A 21-week “dump and fill” experiment was completed using test pieces with new lead and copper pipes exposed to various drinking waters. The real waters consisted of unchlorinated, but otherwise conventionally treated, river water and raw municipal well water. Each real water was simulated using two synthetic waters: one with Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) at the same DOC concentration as in the real water and another without NOM. The synthetic waters with SRNOM released the most dissolved lead, followed by the real waters, and finally by the synthetic waters without SRNOM. Using advanced techniques of characterizing colloidal lead and NOM, complexation was found to be responsible for much of the NOM-induced dissolved lead release, and humic substances were the component that complexed most strongly.