Mass Spectrometry-Inspired Degradation of Disinfection By-Product, 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, in Drinking Water by Heating

Abstract

2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ), a highly toxic and carcinogenic disinfection by-product, was degraded during the electrospray process by elevating the source temperature. This unexpected finding inspired us to use heating to degrade DCBQs in drinking water. The results show that about 99% of DCBQs in the drinking water were degraded in one minute by heating to 100 degrees C with room light irradiation. Therefore, a conclusion can be drawn that heating enables the degradation of DCBQs in drinking water.