Unexpected weakened formation of disinfection byproducts and enhanced production of halates by cupric oxide during chlorination of peptide-bound aspartic acid

Abstract

Under the condition that the residual chlorine is guaranteed, the biofilm still thrives in drinking water distribution systems through secreting a large number of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), in which protein components are the primary precursor of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), mostly in the form of combined amino acids. The aim of this study is to investigate the action of CuO on the formation of halates (XO3−, ClO3− and BrO3−) and DBPs (trihalomethanes, THMs; haloacetonitriles, HANs) with aspartic acid tetrapeptide (TAsp) as protein surrogate. The presence of CuO promoted the self-decay rather than TAsp-induced decay of oxidants, resulting in an increase in XO3− yield and a decrease in DBPs yield. It was CuO-induced weaker production of cyanoacetic acid and 3-oxopropanoic acid that induced the decreased yields of HANs and THMs, respectively. The FTIR and Raman spectra indicate a weak complexation between CuO and TAsp. Given this, the CuO-HOX/OX− complexes were inferred to be reactive to HOX/OX− but less reactive to TAsp. The study helps to better understand the formation of XO3− and DBPs during the chlorination of EPS, and propose precise control strategies when biofilm boosts in water pipes.