Association of iron oligomeric species with natural organic matter: a combined EELS and M?ssbauer investigation

The nature of the interaction between iron oxyhydroxide compounds and natural organic matter (NOM) may take various forms and is still a matter of debate. It is an important field to understand, especially for water treatment applications and for the knowledge of iron transport in the environment. The nature of association reached between iron oligomeric species and NOM is here investigated using M?ssbauer spectroscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) at the Fe-L3 edge. Raw water NOM taken from Moselle River (France), natural humic substances extracted from the riverine suspended matter, and a synthesized humic-like substance, are coagulated with iron nitrate according to a jar-test procedure. The results from M?ssbauer spectroscopy indicate that Fe is present in an octahedral coordination environment, which is consistent with prior X-ray absorption spectroscopy reported in the literature. The areas beneath the peaks (Fe L3 edge) and the peak shapes of EELS spectra differ according to the origin of the organic matter, suggesting that various types of Fe populations can be distinguished using the EELS technique. Combining the selectivity of both M?ssbauer spectroscopy for identifying trace, poorly crystalline Fe solids, oxidation state and of EELS for being able to characterize the population of Fe based on L-edge spectra, appears promising for characterizing Fe in systems containing NOM.