Unveiling distinct influencing mechanisms of Br- on NDMA formation during ozonation of actual water Matrixes: Identification of precursors and brominated substance

Abstract

Bromide ion (Br-) in water sources has been found to affect the formation of carcinogenic non-brominated N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) during ozonation of typical amines. The increasing bromide levels bring more concern due to climate change and industrial discharge, but its effects on actual water matrixes were still unclear. In this study, NDMA formation from three actual water matrixes during ozonation as the Br- concentration increased from 0 to 100 µM were investigated (promotion (100.4 ∼ 231.6 ng/L), promotion then inhibition (399.5 ∼ 461.2 ∼ 428.2 ng/L), and subtle influence (51.9 ± 6.9 ng/L)); from which the NDMA precursors were screened and 8 precursors were selected for exploring the influencing mechanisms. The results indicated that the roles of Br- on NDMA formation significantly depended on the water characteristics of actual matrixes. A total of 16 typical NDMA precursors, which were mainly derived from industrial, agricultural and pharmaceutical sources, were identified. Moreover, 6 brominated substance (Br-DMA, Br-UDMH, Br-DMSC, Br-DMS, Br-TMDS, Br2-TMDS), which were thought to play a crucial role in promoting NDMA formation, were also identified in actual water by precursor ion scan (PIS) method. Hypobromous acid (HOBr), which has been proved to be the culprit to the generation of brominated substances, tend to attack the electron-donating groups of amines, such as acylamino (–NHCO-R) or amidogen (–NH2) groups. However, the reactive bromine species (∙Br and ∙Br2-) was inclined to attack the aromatic and anti-oxidant moieties then result in Br- release, as no bromine substitution but free radical transfer reaction occurs. Therefore, decreasing HOBr formation is the crucial step to reduce NDMA generation. This work would provide technical guide for NDMA risks control during ozonation of Br--amines co-containing water matrixes.