Chlorine utilization during trihalomethane formation in the presence of ammonia and bromide

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00128a011· OSTI ID:5371240

Amy, G L; Chadik, P A; King, P H; Cooper, W J

The chlorination of humic substances in the presence of ammonia and bromide and the resultant formation of trihalomethanes (THM) are described. The presence of ammonia substantially reduced but did not eliminate THM production during the chlorination of waters containing humic substances. The presence of bromide ion in waters containing humic substances leads to increased THM formation, both in the presence and in the absence of ammonia. In waters containing ammonia, bromide, and humic substances, brominated haloforms can form upon chlorination. Brominated species comprise a larger portion of the total THMs at higher chlorine doses within the free chlorine region of the breakpoint curve than at lower dose in the subbreakpoint region. Although the THM formation reaction is slow and may not be complete even after 1 week of reaction time, the initial rate of formation is competitive with the relatively rapid reactions of bromide oxidation and chloramine formation. After free chlorine is converted to chloramines, THM production should theoretically cease. THMs will form in parallel with chloramine formation. This behavior has important implications for water utilities that use a raw water source containing low but significant levels of ammonia such as the Biscayne Aquifer, or are considering chloramine disinfection as a THM control strategy.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
• OSTI ID: 5371240
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 18:10; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMMONIA
BROMIDES
BROMINE COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HALOGENATION
HUMIC ACIDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
SYNTHESIS
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION
WATER SUPPLY