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- Title
Trihalomethane cometabolism by a mixed-culture nitrifying biofilter.
- Authors
Wahman, David G.; Katz, Lynn E.; Speitel Jr., Gerald E.
- Abstract
Biofilters seeded with mixed-culture nitrifiers from Lake Austin, Texas, and fed nutrient and Lake Austin water biodegraded the four trihalomethanes (THMs) commonly found in treated drinking water—bromoform, chloroform, dibromochloromethane, and dichlorobromomethane. THMs were degraded by cometabolism, and degradation increased with increased THM bromine substitution and increased total ammonia-nitrogen biodegradation. Overall, these experiments resulted in sustained THM removals ranging from 10 to 60% for varying operating conditions. Three operational issues were also studied: THM product toxicity, nutrient limitations, and monochloramine inhibition of ammonia and THM degradation. The cometabolism stability index represents a simple and useful parameter for evaluating the likelihood of product toxicity problems in biofilter operation. Nutrient limitations (e.g., iron and copper) may exist for natural water sources, and supplemental nutrients may be needed to achieve maximum THM degradation rates. Influent monochloramine concentrations of 1 mg/L (or less) as CI2 appear to be a good target for stable operation of developed biofilms.
- Subjects
TEXAS; TRIHALOMETHANES; BIODEGRADATION; MIXED culture (Microbiology); DRINKING water purification; WATER chlorination; AMMONIA; BIOFILMS; MICROBIAL aggregation; FILTERS &; filtration; WATER supply
- Publication
Journal: American Water Works Association, 2006, Vol 98, Issue 12, p48
- ISSN
0003-150X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/j.1551-8833.2006.tb07823.x