title: Characterization of dissolved organic matter for prediction of trihalomethane formation potential in surface and sub-surface waters.
abstract: Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in surface waters used for drinking purposes can vary markedly in character dependent on their sources within catchments. The character of DOM further influences the formation of disinfection by products when precursor DOM present in drinking water reacts with chlorine during disinfection. Here we report the development of models that describe the formation potential of trihalomethanes (THMFP) dependent on the character of DOM in waters from discrete catchments with specific land-use and soil textures. DOM was characterized based on UV absorbance at 254 nm, apparent molecular weight and relative abundances of protein-like and humic-like compounds. DOM character and Br concentration (up to 0.5 mg/L) were used as variables in models (R(2)>0.93) of THMFP, which ranged from 19 to 649 μg/L. Chloroform concentration (12-594 μg/L) and relative abundance (27-99%) were first modeled (R(2)>0.85) and from these, the abundances of bromodichloromethane and chlorodibromomethane estimated using power and exponential functions, respectively (R(2)>0.98). From these, the abundance of bromoform is calculated. The proposed model may be used in risk assessment of catchment factors on formation of trihalomethanes in drinking water, in context of treatment efficiency for removal of organic matter.
authors.affiliation: Natural & Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, South Australia 5095, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.affiliation: Natural & Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, South Australia 5095, Australia; SKLEAC, Research Centre for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China. Electronic address: John.vanleeuwen@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.affiliation: Natural & Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, South Australia 5095, Australia; Australian Water Quality Centre, SA Water Corporation, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; SKLEAC, Research Centre for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Natural & Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, South Australia 5095, Australia; Australian Water Quality Centre, SA Water Corporation, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia; SKLEAC, Research Centre for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drikas
authors.affiliation: School of Agriculture, Food & Wine and Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, South Australia 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smernik
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Chittleborough
authors.affiliation: School of the Environment, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors.forename: Erick
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bestland
mesh_terms: D001578:Benzopyrans; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006812:Humic Substances; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D022882:Trihalomethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D060766:Drinking Water; D006812:Humic Substances; D022882:Trihalomethanes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C005023:fulvic acid
keywords: Catchment runoff; DOM character; THMFP