title: Characterization of soluble microbial products as precursors of disinfection byproducts in drinking water supply.
abstract: Water pollution by wastewater discharge can cause the problem of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water supply. In this study, DBP formation characteristics of soluble microbial products (SMPs) as the main products of wastewater organic biodegradation were investigated. The results show that SMPs can act as DBP precursors in simulated wastewater biodegradation process. Under the experimental conditions, stabilized SMPs had DBPFP (DBP formation potential) yield of around 5.6 μmol mmol(-1)-DOC (dissolved organic carbon) and DBP speciation profile different from that of the conventional precursor, natural organic matter (NOM). SMPs contained polysaccharides, proteins, and humic-like substances, and the latter two groups can act as reactive DBP precursors. SMP fraction with molecular weight of <1 kDa accounted for 85% of the organic carbon and 65% of the DBP formation. As small SMP molecules are more difficult to remove by conventional water treatment processes, more efforts are needed to control wastewater-derived DBP problem in water resource management.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: xlia@hkucc.hku.hk.
authors.forename: Xiao-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Programs, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, PA 17057, USA.
authors.forename: Yue-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Programs, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, PA 17057, USA.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000032:analysis*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D060766:Drinking Water; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: DBP precursors; Disinfection byproducts (DBPs); Soluble microbial products (SMPs); Wastewater discharge; Water pollution