An evaluation of the spectroscopic properties and drivers for humic acid adsorption to phenanthrene based on humeomics

This study aimed to evaluate the spectroscopic properties and factors affecting the adsorption of phenanthrene by humic acid molecules based on humeomics. The results showed that two water-soluble fractions can be obtained from humic acids based on humeomics: weakly bound ester fractions and strongly bound ester fractions. Both could bind to phenanthrene and produce quenching, and the quenched group was located around 450 nm. Adsorption with phenanthrene was better when humic acid molecules were 12 mg/L. The binding capacity of the weakly bound ester fractions to phenanthrene was much higher than that of the strongly bound ester fractions. A combination of protein-like and humic acid-like content determined the ability of each fraction to bind to phenanthrene. These results revealed the properties of humic acid small molecules adsorbed with phenanthrene and provided a new treatment for phenanthrene contamination.