Higher Chlorine Doses Research Articles

Prednisolone degradation by UV/chlorine process: Influence factors, transformation products and mechanism

Prednisolone (PDNN) as an emergent micropollutant directly influences the regional ecological security. In this study, the degradation of PDNN by ultraviolet activated chlorine (UV/chlorine) oxidation process was comprehensively evaluated. The quenching experiment suggested that the PDNN degradation in UV/chlorine process was involved in the participation of hydroxyl radical (OH) and reactive chlorine species (RCS). Influence factors including chlorine dosage, pH, common anion and cation, fulvic acid (FA) on PDNN degradation via UV/chlorine process were investigated. A low chlorine (≤7.1 mg L−1) promoted the PDNN degradation, while a high chlorine dosage (>7.1 mg L−1) was adverse. The pH (4.0–10.0) showed negligible effect, while the investigated anions (Cl−, Br−, HCO3− and SO42−), NH4+ and FA exerted negative impact on PDNN degradation. An efficient process to minimize pharmaceutical micropollutants was the disposal of human urine containing a high concentration of pharmaceutical and potential toxic metabolites. An inhibitory effect was observed in the synthetic urine (fresh urine and hydrolyzed urine). The intermediates/products were identified and the mechanism of PDNN degradation was proposed. PDNN gone through three degradation routes, involving the direct addition of α, β-unsaturated ketone at C1 or C5, the photolysis of C17 and H-abstraction of C11. The main reactive sites were further determined by comparison of the frontier orbitals calculation and the proposed mechanism. Based on the toxicological tests for PDNN degradation, TP396 (TP396-C1Cl and TP396-C5Cl) and TP414-2-1 (TP414-C1ClC5OH) exhibited much higher toxicity than PDNN, and prolonging reaction time was necessary to achieve PDNN detoxification.

Pre-chlorination contact time and the removal and control of Microcystis aeroginosa in coagulation

The use of pre-oxidation is known to improve algae removal by coagulation and control the growth of algae. The contact time between oxidants and algae in pre-oxidation stage has been found as important parameter. This study investigated the effect of pre-chlorination contact time on the control and removal of cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa by coagulation. The results showed that when the alum dose was sufficient, increasing contact time showed an improvement in algae removal by coagulation in case of high chlorine dose. The algae removal ratio at high chlorine dose, 3 mg L-1 increased when contact time increased and it decreased after 30 minutes of contact time. In contrast, the result from chlorine dose, 2 mg L-1, showed an unclear trend when contact time increased. Adding 2 mg L-1 of pre-chlorination with 10 minutes of contact time was enough to control the regrowth of M. aeruginosa. In addition, dissolve organic carbon (DOC) and UV absorbance at 254 nm, which particulary indicates aromatic compounds, tended to increase when the contact time increased. The increased of DOC and UV 254 indicated the release of intracellular organic matter (IOM) from M. aeruginosa. High level of DOC, 0.68 mg L-1 in this study showed negative effect on M. aeruginosa removal by coagulation and could not be removed by coagulation process.

Trihalomethanes formation in marine environment in front of Nuweibaa desalination plant as a result of effluents loaded by chlorine residual

Trihalomethanes have been identified as the most important disinfection byproducts resulted from using chlorine in desalination plants. Nuweibaa desalination plant was chosen to study their effluents impacts on the marine environment in front of the plant in the coastal area of Gulf of Aqaba. Surface and bottom Water Samples were collected from nine locations in the outfall area of this desalination plant during spring and autumn 2014, and analyzed for water temperature, pH value, Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological oxygen demand, Oxidizible organic matter, Total, fixed and volatile suspended matter, residual chlorine (free and combined) and trihalomethanes. High total chlorine dosage discharged from the desalination plant achieved high levels of trihalomethanes in the receiving seawater of the outfall area. It has been estimated that about 14524.65671kg of BOD, 74123.4kg of OOM, 166896.4375kg of total suspended solids, 623.634kg of free chlorine, 469.21kg of combined chlorine, 206.64kg of chloroform and 76.48kg of bromoform are discharged annually from this plant into the Gulf of Aqaba affecting the marine ecosystems. The results of THMs showed that the two main forms of THMs formed in the receiving seawater were chloroform and bromoform and ranged between (5.09–156.59), (2.82–566.06)μg/L respectively. High pH and High combined chlorine concentrations favored the formation of high concentrations of chloroform.

Impact of operations and cleaning on membrane fouling at a wastewater reclamation facility

Effects of operational changes on membrane fouling were evaluated for a wastewater reclamation facility. The focuses were on addition of a coagulant (ferric chloride) versus no addition and an accidental high chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) dose. Two membrane modules with different service ages, 3 years versus 9 months, were compared. Fouling rates ranged between 2 and 3 times higher during no ferric chloride addition. Chemical cleaning frequency was reduced by approximately 5 times during ferric chloride addition for older membranes, while it did not change for newer membranes. High chlorine dose had slightly improved membrane permeability for newer membrane, and reduced the transmembrane pressure (TMP) for both older and newer membranes. Chemical wash with enzymatic detergents substantially improved membrane permeability and reduced TMP for both older and newer membranes. Fouling index values indicated that coagulant addition had greater impact on performance recovery for older membranes than newer membranes. Successful and economical operation of membranes depends on fouling rate, which in this study was found to be a function of flux, membrane age, pretreatment, and cleaning type and frequency.

The chlorination mechanism of integrally asymmetric cellulose triacetate (CTA)-based and thin film composite polyamide-based forward osmosis membrane

This study investigates the change in performance and properties of various forward osmosis (FO) membranes resulting from exposure to chlorine by conducting performance test and characterization using ATR-FTIR, XPS, zeta potential, NMR and, particularly, ToF-SIMS analyses. The data obtained through the ToF-SIMS measurements suggested that chlorine first reacted with the acetyl/acetate group of the cellulose triacetate (CTA)-based membrane and then with the pyranose ring. Chlorine bound to the membrane surface weakened the H-bond of the CTA-based membrane, resulting in an increase in water flux and reverse salt flux (RSF) as the chlorine exposure time or chlorine concentration increased. A high chlorine dosage cleaved the pyranose ring, leading to loss of membrane selectivity. After chlorination with a high chlorine dosage, the structure of the CTA-based membrane eventually presented fatigue upon an increase in filtration time, and the oxidation of the CTA-based membrane due to exposure to chlorine was maximal at pH 7. The polyamide (PA)-based FO membrane was more sensitive to chlorine under acidic conditions, resulting in a greater loss of selectivity than that of the CTA-based FO membrane. However, an alkaline chlorine solution insignificantly affected both the CTA-based and TFC-based FO membranes. This study shows that the TFC PA-based FO membrane yields a high water flux, but its chlorine tolerance must be improved to be practically applicable in various fields.

Impact of prechlorination on organophosphorus pesticides during drinking water treatment: Removal and transformation to toxic oxon byproducts

Prechlorination is commonly used to minimize operational problems associated with biological growth as well as taste and odor control during drinking water treatment. However, prechlorination can also oxidise micropollutants into intermediate byproducts. This could impose profound effects on the safety of the finished water if the transformed byproducts are more toxic and less removable. This study investigated the effect of prechlorination on decomposition and subsequent removal of the four organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs): chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion and tolclofos-methyl using a simulated conventional water treatment process of powdered activated carbon assisted coagulation-sedimentation-filtration (PAC-CSF) and postchlorination. It was found that, following prechlorination, not only did the percentage of OPPs oxidation vary significantly, but also the concentration of transformed oxons, which are more toxic than their parent compounds, increased as the major identified oxidation byproducts in water. Removal of these oxons proved to be more difficult by the PAC-CSF than their parent OPPs, because they are more water soluble and more hydrophilic. Both the OPP oxidation and oxon formation increased with chlorine dose during prechlorination. Meanwhile, the continuing chlorination of OPPs by residual free chlorine during PAC-CSF further complicated the pesticide removal processes, generally resulting in a gradually increased formation of oxons. Moreover, in the final treatment stage of postchlorination, the more chlorine-reactive pesticides, malathion and diazinon, were completely oxidised and the formation of corresponding oxons was increased with the prechlorine dose. In contrast, a certain amount of the less chlorine-reactive pesticide tolclofos-methyl still remained in solution after postchlorination, accompanied by an increased formation of tolclofos-methyl oxon with prechlorine dose. Since the oxons are resistant to further oxidation and less adsorbable during the PAC-CSF process, the gross removal of these pesticides and their oxons decreased with increase of the prechlorine dose. This led to an accumulation of the more toxic oxons in the finished water, especially at higher chlorine doses during prechlorination. The significance of this work is the demonstration that, under circumstances where prechlorination is used and source water contains traces of OPPs, alternative practices should be prioritized to avoid the potential risks involved in consumption of the treated water.

Kinetics and mechanisms of formation of earthy and musty odor compounds: Chloroanisoles during water chlorination

Chloroanisoles are often reported as off-flavor compounds which produce an earthy and musty flavors and odors in drinking water. To improve understanding and ultimately minimize the formation of 2,4-dichloroanisole (2,4-DCA), 2,6-dichloroanisole (2,6-DCA) and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (2,4,6-TCA), which have low odor threshold concentrations (OTC: 0.03–4 ng L−1), a kinetic database for the chlorination of anisole was established by kinetic measurements. The results showed that HOCl reacted with anisole in acidic solution, with the hydrogen ion as an important catalyst. Quantification of product distribution of the produced chloroanisoles demonstrated that a chlorine attack in the para-position was favored over the ortho-position. A kinetic model was formulated, which permitted investigation of the relative importance of the chlorine dose and other water quality parameters including the concentrations of anisole and several metal ions, as well as temperature, on the product distribution of chloroanisoles. In general, high chlorine doses led to low concentrations of intermediates. The presence of ions such as Fe3+ and Al3+ facilitated the formation of chloroanisoles, but Zn2+ and Mn2+ did not. The kinetic model can be applied to optimize water chlorination and minimize earthy and musty odors.

Investigating the role of biofilms in trihalomethane formation in water distribution systems with a multicomponent model

Biofilms are ubiquitous in the pipes of drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), and recent experimental studies revealed that the chlorination of the microbial carbon associated with the biofilm contributes to the total disinfection by-products (DBPs) formation with distinct mechanisms from those formed from precursors derived from natural organic matter (NOM). A multiple species reactive-transport model was developed to explain the role of biofilms in DBPs formation by accounting for the simultaneous transport and interactions of disinfectants, organic compounds, and biomass. Using parameter values from experimental studies in the literature, the model equations were solved to predict chlorine decay and microbial regrowth dynamics in an actual DWDS, and trihalomethanes (THMs) formation in a pilot-scale distribution system simulator. The model's capability of reproducing the measured concentrations of free chlorine, suspended biomass, and THMs under different hydrodynamic and temperature conditions was demonstrated. The contribution of bacteria-derived precursors to the total THMs production was found to have a significant dependence on the system's hydraulics, seasonal variables, and the quality of the treated drinking water. Under system conditions that promoted fast bacterial re-growth, the transformation of non-microbial into microbial carbon DBP precursors by the biofilms showed a noticeable effect on the kinetics of THMs formation, especially when a high initial chlorine dose was applied. These conditions included elevated water temperature and high concentrations of nutrients in the influent water. The fraction of THMs formed from microbial sources was found to reach a peak of 12% of the total produced THMs under the investigated scenarios. The results demonstrated the importance of integrating bacterial regrowth dynamics in predictive DBPs formation models.

Biofouling control: Bacterial quorum quenching versus chlorination in membrane bioreactors

Biofilm formation (biofouling) induced via cell-to-cell communication (quorum sensing) causes problems in membrane filtration processes. Chorine is one of the most common chemicals used to interfere with biofouling; however, biofouling control is challenging because it is a natural process. This study demonstrates biofouling control for submerged hollow fiber membranes in membrane bioreactors by means of bacterial quorum quenching (QQ) using Rhodococcus sp. BH4 with chemically enhanced backwashing. This is the first trial to bring QQ alongside chlorine injection into practice. A high chlorine dose (100 mg/L as Cl2) to the system is insufficient for preventing biofouling, but addition of the QQ bacterium is effective for disrupting biofouling that cannot be achieved by chlorination alone. QQ reduces the biologically induced metal precipitate and extracellular biopolymer levels in the biofilm, and biofouling is significantly delayed when QQ is applied in addition to chlorine dosing. QQ with chlorine injection gives synergistic effects on reducing physically and chemically reversible fouling resistances while saving substantial filtration energy. Manipulating microbial community functions with chemical treatment is an attractive tool for biofilm dispersal in membrane bioreactors.

Effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on MBR performance and effluent trihalomethane formation: At the initial stage of PAC addition

In this study, the MBR was used to treat municipal wastewater for reuse. Effects of powdered activated carbon (PAC) addition on MBR system in terms of effluent water quality, trihalomethane (THM) formation and membrane organic fouling tendency of MBR sludge supernatant at the initial stage of PAC addition were investigated. Effects of chlorine dose and contact time on THM formation and speciation were also studied. PAC addition enhanced the removal of organic matters, especially aromatic components, which improved the UV254 removal rate from 34% to 83%. PAC addition greatly reduced the membrane organic fouling tendency of MBR sludge supernatant. PAC addition reduced the MBR effluent trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) from 351.29 to 241.95μg/L, while increased THM formation reactivity by 42%. PAC addition enhanced the formation of higher toxic bromine-containing THMs. High chlorine dose and contact time resulted in higher THM formation but lower proportion of bromine-containing THMs.

Behavior and stability of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during chlorine disinfection

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis is a cultivation-independent alternative method for the determination of bacterial viability in both chlorinated and non-chlorinated water. Here we investigated the behavior and stability of ATP during chlorination in detail. Different sodium hypochlorite doses (0–22.4 mg-Cl2 L−1; 5 min exposure) were applied to an Escherichia coli pure culture suspended in filtered river water. We observed decreasing intracellular ATP with increasing chlorine concentrations, but extracellular ATP concentrations only increased when the chlorine dose exceeded 0.35 mg L−1. The release of ATP from chlorine-damaged bacteria coincided with severe membrane damage detected with flow cytometry (FCM). The stability of extracellular ATP was subsequently studied in different water matrixes, and we found that extracellular ATP was stable in sterile deionized water and also in chlorinated water until extremely high chlorine doses (≤11.2 mg-Cl2 L−1; 5 min exposure). In contrast, ATP decreased relatively slowly (k = 0.145 h−1) in 0.1 μm filtered river water, presumably due to degradation by either extracellular enzymes or the fraction of bacteria that were able to pass through the filter. Extracellular ATP decreased considerably faster (k = 0.368 h−1) during batch growth of a river water bacterial community. A series of growth potential tests showed that extracellular ATP molecules were utilized as a phosphorus source during bacteria proliferation. From the combined data we conclude that ATP released from bacteria at high chlorine doses could promote bacteria regrowth, contributing to biological instability in drinking water distribution systems.

Effect of High Chloride Concentrations on Microbial Regrowth in Drinking Water Distribution Systems

AbstractThis study was designed to identify the effects of variable concentrations of chloride on microbial regrowth, disinfection efficacy, and metal release in drinking water distribution systems. Annular reactors (ARs) containing cast iron or polycarbonate coupons were operated in this study to simulate distribution systems. Experiments were conducted with test water containing chloride concentrations of 10, 75, and 250 mg/L. Chlorine disinfection was applied to achieve 0.2 and 1.0 mg/L free chlorine residuals. Results showed that the ARs operated with elevated chloride concentrations were not significantly different from the ARs operated with low chloride concentrations in terms of microbial regrowth. However, there was a significant increase in iron concentrations after chlorination in the high chloride ARs. Further, more iron release was observed in these ARs at 1.0 mg/L compared to 0.2 mg/L chlorine residual. Higher chlorine doses were required to achieve goal residuals for those ARs with highe...

Formation of haloacetonitriles and haloacetamides and their precursors during chlorination of secondary effluents.

The formation of dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN), dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm) and trichloroacetamide (TCAcAm) during chlorination of secondary effluents was evaluated under different conditions. The formation of DCAN and DCAcAm increased, then decreased with increasing contact time and chlorine dose, while TCAcAm formation increased continually, exceeding DCAcAm formation after a relatively long contact time or in response to a relatively high chlorine dose (20-80 mg L(-1)). Increasing the sample pH from 6 to 9 reduced the formation of DCAN and TCAcAm, while DCAcAm formation was highest at pH 8. Precursors in the secondary effluent were characterized by separating the organic matter into several fractions using membrane filtration and XAD resins and then measuring the formation of DCAN, DCAcAm and TCAcAm from each fraction during chlorination. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) with a molecular weight less than 1 kDa dominated the formation of DCAcAm and TCAcAm. However, particle-associated DCAN precursors were detected in addition to potent DCAN precursors in the DOM fractions. Among the XAD fractions of DOM, the hydrophilic neutral fraction prevailed in the secondary effluent and produced the most DCAN, DCAcAm and TCAcAm per volume, and the hydrophilic basic fraction with a low organic content had the highest yields of DCAN, DCAcAm and TCAcAm on a DOC basis, so their dominant precursors were associated with hydrophilic matter.

Degradation of chlortoluron during UV irradiation and UV/chlorine processes and formation of disinfection by-products in sequential chlorination

The degradation kinetics and pathways of chlortoluron during UV irradiation and UV/chlorine process as well as the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) after post-chlorination were investigated in this study. The quantum yield of chlortoluron was calculated as 0.0258moleinstein−1 and the effect of solution pH was negligible during UV irradiation. On the other hand, the degradation rate of chlortoluron during UV/chlorine process was significantly promoted at acidic conditions as well as high chlorine doses and UV intensity. UV irradiation and UV/chlorination of chlortoluron both followed the pseudo-first order reaction kinetics, but UV/chlorine process is more efficient than UV irradiation with the reaction rate constant between chlortoluron and OH radicals determined as (2.18±0.83)×109M−1s−1. The mineralization of chlortoluron was considerably increased with increasing chlorine dose and decreasing pH during UV/chlorine process. The degradation pathways of chlortoluron during UV irradiation and UV/chlorine processes were proposed according to the identified intermediates. The formation of carbonaceous DBPs (C-DBPs) and nitrogenous DBPs (N-DBPs) during direct chlorination and post chlorination of UV irradiation and UV/chlorine processes were investigated as well. More DBP precursors were formed during UV/chlorine process compared to direct chlorination and UV irradiation, which deserves extensive concerns in drinking water treatment processes.

Removal of Trihalo Methanes Using Activated Carbon Prepared from Agricultural Solid Wastes

High chlorine dosages are used in some drinking water plants to overcome the deficiencies in the treatment to at least ensure a supply of microbiologically safe water to the population. This fact and the increment of natural organic matter (NOM) in the aquatic resources due to rainfall increases and anthropogenic activities are becoming a critical concern, due to the formation of chlorination by-products such as trihalomethanes (THM), which are carcinogenic substances. Egypt drinking water system using new treatments is essential to meet the quality guidelines. Trihalomethanes are carcinogenic by-products of disinfection that are present in drinking water. In the present research, adsorption was employed for the removal of THMs found in water supply systems. The effects of pH, contact time, adsorbents and adsorbate concentration on the adsorption system were investigated. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were used to analyse the resulting adsorption data. The kinetics of THM removal was found to follow the pseudo-second-order model rather than the Langmuir–Hinshelwood pseudo-first-order model.

Comparison of iodinated trihalomethanes formation during aqueous chlor(am)ination of different iodinated X-ray contrast media compounds in the presence of natural organic matter

Iodinated trihalomethanes (I-THMs) formation during chlorination and chloramination of five iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) compounds (iopamidol, iopromide, iodixanol, histodenz, and diatrizoate) in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) was evaluated and compared. Chlorination and chloramination of ICM in the absence of NOM yielded only a trace amount of I-THMs, while levels of I-THMs were enhanced substantially in raw water samples. With the presence of NOM, the order with respect to the maximum yield of I-THMs observed during chlorination was iopamidol >> histodenz > iodixanol > diatrizoate > iopromide. During chloramination, I-THM formation was enhanced for hisodenz, iodixanol, diatrizoate, and iopromide. The order with respect to the maximum yield of I-THMs observed during chloramination was iopamidol > diatrizoate > iodixanol > histodenz > iopromide. With the exception of iopamidol, I-THM formation was favored at relatively low chlorine doses (≤100 μM) during ICM chlorination, and significant suppression was observed with high chlorine doses applied (＞100 μM). However, during chloramination, increasing monochloramine dose monotonously increased the yield of I-THMs for the five ICM. During chlorination of iodixanol, histodenz, and diatrizoate, the yields of I-THMs exhibited three distinct trends as the pH increased from 5 to 9, while peak I-THM formation was found at circumneutral pH for chloramination. Increasing bromide concentration not only considerably enhanced the yield of I-THMs but also shifted the I-THMs towards bromine-containing ones and increased the formation of higher bromine-incorporated species (e.g., CHBrClI and CHBr2I), especially in chloramination. These results are of particular interest to understand I-THM formation mechanisms during chlorination and chloramination of waters containing ICM.

Emergency Water Treatment with Bleach in the United States: The Need to Revise EPA Recommendations

During emergencies in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently recommends using bottled water, or boiling or treating water by adding 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of bleach to 1 gal of water. This bleach recommendation is internally inconsistent, a relatively high chlorine dose (5.55-8.67 mg/L), and unsupported by evidence. In this study, bleach was added in three different dosages to six waters available to emergency-affected populations in each of six states; free chlorine residual (FCR) and Escherichia coli/total coliforms were measured 1-24 h after treatment. Data were analyzed using four efficacy criteria. Results indicated the dosages in the current EPA recommendation are unnecessarily high to ensure (1) maintenance of FCR for 24 h after treatment, (2) absence of E. coli/total coliforms, and (3) establishment of a CT-factor sufficient to inactivate Giardia lamblia and enteric viruses 1 h after treatment. Additionally, emergency-prone populations did not have the materials to complete treatment with bleach in their household. Therefore, we recommend EPA review and revise the current recommendation to establish an internally consistent, criteria-based recommendation that is usable by emergency-affected populations. We also recommend investigating the use of new or commercially available water treatment products for emergency response in the United States.

Influencing factors and degradation behavior of propyphenazone and aminopyrine by free chlorine oxidation

Chlorine is widely used in drinking water treatment plants as a common disinfectant, and it also can effectively remove many pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water and wastewater. Two pyrazolone compounds (propyphenazone and aminopyrine) that have been frequently detected in aquatic environments were selected for investigation into their removal during free chlorine disinfection. The influencing factors on the removal of the pharmaceuticals were explored at initial pharmaceutical concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.25μM, chlorine dosages ranging from 14.08 to 28.17μM and pH values ranging from 3.0 to 9.0. The results showed high removal efficiencies of the two pharmaceuticals by free chlorine in the order of propyphenazone>aminopyrine. Their removal and reaction rate constants (kobs) were clearly dependent on the chlorine dosage and pH. High chlorine dosages accelerated the removal rates of both compounds. The highest removal efficiencies and the highest kobs were observed at neutral pH for propyphenazone (>90% for 24s reaction) and slightly acidic pH for aminopyrine (>85% for 110s reaction). In addition, the degradation of the two compounds by free chlorine and the structure characteristics of the oxidation byproducts were estimated by non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), ultraviolet (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The results of the NPOC analysis indicated that chlorine cannot completely mineralize propyphenazone or aminopyrine. Chlorine atom substitution, dealkylations and ring-opening reactions may occur during propyphenazone or aminopyrine chlorination according to the UV-Vis and FT-IR analysis.

DBP Formation in Hot and Cold Water Across a Simulated Distribution System: Effect of Incubation Time, Heating Time, pH, Chlorine Dose, and Incubation Temperature

This paper demonstrates that disinfection byproducts (DBP) concentration profiles in heated water were quite different from the DBP concentrations in the cold tap water. Chloroform concentrations in the heated water remained constant or even decreased slightly with increasing distribution system water age. The amount of dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) was much higher in the heated water than in the cold water; however, the maximum levels in heated water with different distribution system water ages did not differ substantially. The levels of trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) in the heated water were similar to the TCAA levels in the tap water, and a slight reduction was observed after the tap water was heated for 24 h. Regardless of water age, significant reductions of nonregulated DBPs were observed after the tap water was heated for 24 h. For tap water with lower water ages, there were significant increases in dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN), chloropicrin (CP), and 1,1-dichloropropane (1,1-DCP) after a short period of heating. Heating of the tap water with low pH led to a more significant increase of chloroform and a more significant short-term increase of DCAN. High pH accelerated the loss of the nonregulated DBPs in the heated water. The results indicated that as the chlorine doses increased, levels of chloroform and DCAA in the heated water increased significantly. However, for TCAA, the thermally induced increase in concentration was only notable for the chlorinated water with very high chlorine dose. Finally, heating may lead to higher DBP concentrations in chlorinated water with lower distribution system temperatures.

Effect of wastewater chlorination on endocrine disruptor removal

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds of mainly anthropogenic origin that interfere with the endocrine system of animals and humans thus causing a series of disorders. Wastewater treatment plants are one of the major routes for transporting such chemicals to the water courses. In the context of this study, several chlorination batch tests were performed in order to assess the effectiveness of chlorination to remove bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates (NP1EO and NP2EO) from secondary effluent. According to the results, an appreciable removal of NP, BPA and TCS to the order of 60-84% was observed as an effect of moderate chlorination doses. This was not the case for NP1EO and NP2EO as even at high chlorine doses, removal efficiencies were lower (37% for NP1EO and 52% for NP2EO). Removal efficiencies of NP, BPA and TCS are practically independent of contact time, although this was not the case for NP1EO and NP2EO. Based on toxicity experiments, it is anticipated that following chlorination of the target chemicals, production of more toxic metabolites is taking place. Therefore the effectiveness of chlorination to remove EDCs is questionable and more research is needed to guarantee safe wastewater reuse.