Abstract
The presence of trichloronitromethane (chloropicrin) in natural or drinking waters is a recent concern for hygienists and water engineers. Studies have enabled us to show that chloropicrin in public water supplies can constitute a chlorination by-product of humic substances and of nitrophenols (Coleman et al., Identification and Analysis of Organic Pollutants in Water, 1977; Sayato et al., Suishitsi Odaku Kenkyi 3, 127–134, 1982; Thibaud et al., Envir. Technol. Lett. 7, 163–176, 1986). The presence of nitrites in reactional medium might also play an important part on chloropicrin formation. The object of this study is to define the part played by nitrites during the oxidation of synthetic solutions of aromatic molecules and humic substances. In a first part we have studied the influence of pH, chlorination ratio, nitrite concentration on chloropicrin production during the chlorination of phenolic compounds and humic substances. In a second part we have analysed the chemical pre-oxidation (by ozone, chlorine dioxide, monochloramine) of phenol in presence of nitrites, and its role in the formation of chloropicrin during post-chlorination. This part was completed by the identification of several intermediate oxidation compounds.
Published Version
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