Assessment of organic fraction based on its molecular weight and disinfection by-product formation through different coagulant

Abstract

Chlorination is the most common disinfection method used in the drinking water production. Reactivity of chlorine with organic molecules could generate disinfection by-product (DBPs), which are harmful to the human health. Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex mixture of chemicals existing in source water. Because of its complexity, it is conjectured that formation of many different DBPs can arise from the reaction of organic matter and a chemical disinfectant. This study used model compounds as NOM surrogates in order to reveal the specific organic fraction and DBPs formation potential removed by different coagulants. Model compounds, as an artificial sample, were made from a mixture of Suwannee River Humic Acid (SRHA), Suwannee River Fulvic Acid (SRFA), Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), Alginic Acid (AA). Alum and FeCl3 were used as coagulants. The samples were analyzed for organic parameters, such as total organic carbon (TOC), ultraviolet at 254 nm wavelength (UV254), specific UV absorbance (SUVA), and organic fractionated by high performance size exclusion chromatograph with organic carbon detector (HPSEC-OCD). The concentration of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) was measured to present the DBPs formation. The results show alum and FeCl3 removed biopolymer (Peak A), humic substances-like (Peak B, Peak C) at the same percentage, while low molecular weight acid and neutral (Peak D) showed a higher removal with alum than FeCl3. HAAs removal led to a greater reduction than THMs removal, and FeCl3 showed a higher removal than the alum coagulant. It indicated that alum and FeCl3 coagulant have different ability in removing specific organic fractions, which are precursors of THMs and HAAs formation.