Formation of disinfection by-products from the chlorination and chloramination of algogenic organic matter

• Grant number: 20/12202-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Antonio Daniel
• Grantee: Luan de Souza Leite
• Supervisor: Tom Bond
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Surrey, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/05759-1 - Study of Algal Organic Matter (AOM) removal by coagulation-flocculation and use of pre-treatments, BP.DR

Abstract

Microalgae cells and algogenic organic matter (AOM) are natural sources of high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen. This composition shows their potential to form disinfection by-products (DBPs) after the disinfection process, which poses a health risk to the water consumers. Despite the importance of this topic, few studies have focused on DBP formation from AOM in the scientific literature. In this context, this research project aims to study the AOM potential as a precursor for regulated trihalomethanes (THMs), nine haloacetamides (HAcAms), five haloacetonitriles (HANs), and haloacetic acids (HAAs) upon chlorination and chloramination. The influence of key parameters of drinking water on the generation of the target DBPs will be investigated, including pH (7 and 8), contact time (4 and 24 h), bromide levels (0 and 100 µg*L-1), and humic acid (0 and 1 mg*L-1). It expect that the results can provide valuable support for establishing practical guidelines for chlorine and chloramine application on water containing AOM. (AU)