Novel insights into the temporal molecular fractionation of dissolved black carbon at the iron oxyhydroxide - water interface

As the most reactive and mobile fraction of black carbon, dissolved black carbon (DBC) inexorably interacts with minerals in the biosphere. Nevertheless, the research on the mechanisms and compositions of DBC assembly at the mineral-water interface remains limited. In this study, we revealed the “kinetic architecture” of DBC on iron oxyhydroxide at novel insights based on quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results indicated that high molecular weight, highly unsaturated, oxygen-rich (such as carboxyl-rich fraction, phenolics), aliphatics, and long C chains compounds were preferentially adsorbed on the iron oxyhydroxide. 2D-COS analyses directly disclosed the sequential fractionation: aromatic and phenolic groups > aliphatic groups, and few aromatics were continuously adsorbed after the rapid adsorption. Quantitative determinations identified that aromatic and phenolic components were adsorbed rapidly over the first 60 min, while aromatics achieved the dynamic equilibrium until ∼300 min, which was consistent with the 2D-COS observations. Our findings supported the hypothesis that “mineral-OM” and “OM-OM” interactions worked simultaneously, and the adsorption might be co-driven by ligand exchange, hydrophobic interactions, and other mechanisms. This work provided the theoretical basis for organic carbon storage and turnover, and it was valuable for predicting the behaviors and fates of contaminants at the soil-water interface and surface water.