Natural organic matter (NOM) is ubiquitous in natural waters and its concentrations range from 0.1 to 50 mg L^-1 as carbon. The presence of NOM is associated with odour, taste, colour, disinfection by-products formation, membrane fouling and bacterial regrowth problems. NOM also plays an overwhelmingly important role in the transport of most organic and inorganic pollutants, notably POPs and heavy metals thus strongly affecting their environmental fate, bioavailability and toxicity.

Our research group has mainly focused on the theory and technologies associated with NOM in drinking water treatment processes and in source waters, especially in the area of NOM characterization, behavior associated contaminants transfer and health risks, and its controls.