title: Reductions of dissolved organic matter and disinfection by-product precursors in full-scale wastewater treatment plants in winter.
abstract: The reductions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and disinfection byproduct precursors in four full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (Liaoning Province, China) where different biological treatment processes were employed in winter were investigated. The total removal efficiencies of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet light at 254 nm (UV-254), trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP), and haloacetic acid formation potential (HAAFP) were in the range of 70.3-76.0%, 49.6-57.3%, 54.4-65.0%, and 53.7-63.8% in the four WWTPs, respectively. The biological treatment was the predominant process responsible for the removal of DOC, THMFP, and HAAFP in WWTPs. Differences in the reduction of UV-254 were not significant (p > 0.05) among biochemical reaction pool, secondary sedimentation tank, and disinfection tank. Biological aerated filter and suspended carrier activated sludge processes achieved higher DOM removal than the conventional active sludge and anaerobic-anoxic-oxic processes. Hydrophobic neutral and hydrophilic fraction were removed to a higher degree through biological treatment than the other three DOM fractions. HAAFP removal was more efficient than THMFP reduction during biological treatment. During primary treatment, fluorescent materials in secondary sedimentation tanks were preferentially removed, as compared to the bulk DOM. Humic-like fluorescent compounds were not readily eliminated during biological treatment. The fluorescent materials were more susceptible to chlorine than nonfluorescent compounds.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China. Electronic address: xueshuang666@sina.com.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China; The City College of Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun 130111, China.
authors.forename: Wujisiguleng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.
authors.forename: Zhaohong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002681:China; D002713:Chlorine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D012722:Sewage; D022882:Trihalomethanes / Q000032:analysis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002713:Chlorine; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D022882:Trihalomethanes; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Disinfection byproducts; Dissolved organic matter; Fractionation; Wastewater treatment plants; Winter