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Impact of wastewater treatment processes on organic carbon, organic nitrogen, and DBP precursors in effluent organic matter

  • Stuart W. Krasner*
  • , Paul Westerhoff
  • , Baiyang Chen
  • , Bruce E. Rittmann
  • , Gary Amy
  • , Seong Nam Nam
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • State of California
  • Arizona State University
  • IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
  • University of Colorado Boulder

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Unintentional, indirect wastewater reuse is occurring as upstream wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges impact downstream drinking water treatment plants. As part of a project to evaluate the contribution of wastewater to disinfection by-product (DBP) formation in drinking water, one of the objectives was to compare different WWTP processes for the control of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC and DON), and DBP precursors in effluent organic matter (EfOM). Nitrification plays a key role in determining the quality of EfOM in terms of traditional wastewater parameters, natural organic matter character, and DBP-related parameters. Some nitrification strongly altered the levels of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia (NH3-N), DON, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), DOC, ultraviolet absorbance (UVA), and chemical oxygen demand. Good nitrification (NH3-N <2 mg/L) augmented the changes for TKN, NH3-N, and CBOD; reduced the concentration of biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC); and dramatically changed the ratio of BDOC/DOC. During wastewater treatment, some of the particulate and DON was transformed to biomass, NH3-N, nitrite, nitrate, and/or nitrogen gas, whereas a portion of the DOC was transformed to biomass, carbon dioxide, methane, and/or other gases. Although nitrification reduced the level of UVA, it resulted in an increase in specific UVA (SUVA). This was probably due to preferential removal of the less UV-absorbing (non- humic) portion of the DOC during biological treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Water Works Association - Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition 2006
Subtitle of host publicationTaking Water Quality to New Heights
Pages667-691
Number of pages25
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventWater Quality Technology Conference and Exposition 2006: Taking Water Quality to New Heights - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: 5 Nov 20069 Nov 2006

Publication series

NameAmerican Water Works Association - Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition 2006: Taking Water Quality to New Heights

Conference

ConferenceWater Quality Technology Conference and Exposition 2006: Taking Water Quality to New Heights
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period5/11/069/11/06

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