Oxidation of iodide by PbO2, the major lead pipe corrosion product: Kinetics, mechanism and formation of toxic iodinated disinfection by-products

Abstract

Lead oxide (PbO2) formed by the oxidation of lead pipes and lead-containing plumbing materials is an important corrosion product in some drinking water distribution systems. Under certain conditions it acts as an oxidant, and we report here the effects of pH on the oxidation of I¯ by PbO2, which leads to the formation of iodine (I2) and iodate (IO3¯) as well as dissolution of Pb2+. Oxidation of I¯ by PbO2 is a multi-step pH-dependent reaction, the rate of which can be expressed as: R = 6.92 × 109 × [SA]0.67 × [I¯]2.19 × [H+]0.59 (where SA is the PbO2 surface area). I2 was the major intermediate product formed along with some HOI, and was then further oxidized to IO3¯. Based on these results, a kinetic model was developed to simulate the evolution of I¯, I2 and IO3¯ in the PbO2/I¯ reaction system. In addition, the formation of iodinated disinfection by-products (I-DBPs) in the PbO2/I¯/NOM system was evaluated under different water quality conditions, and was found to be influenced by the form of the lead corrosion products in the order: Pb3O4 > PbO2 > Pb(CO3)2(OH)2 > PbCO3. Iodoform and monoiodoacetic acid were identified as the main I-DBPs, and their formation decreased with increasing pH. It is concluded that oxidation of I¯ by lead oxides in water distribution pipes probably contributes to the formation of I-DBPs as well as Pb2+ in tap water.