What are the principal precursors that react with disinfectants to produce disinfection by products?

What are the principal precursors that react with disinfectants to produce disinfection by products?

• A. Volatile organic compounds and synthetic organic chemicals
• B. SOC
• C. Petroleum products
• D. Humic and fulvic acids

Answer: (D)

Disinfection byproducts form when a disinfectant reacts with dissolved organic matter in the water. The main precursors are humic and fulvic acids, the major components of natural organic matter that come from decaying plant and soil material. These substances have structures that readily react with chlorine and other disinfectants, producing byproducts such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. In typical surface waters, humic and fulvic acids contribute most to the potential for DBP formation, more so than simple volatile or synthetic organics or petroleum residues. Reducing these precursors through pretreatment steps that remove natural organic matter helps lower DBP formation.

Disinfection byproducts form when a disinfectant reacts with dissolved organic matter in the water. The main precursors are humic and fulvic acids, the major components of natural organic matter that come from decaying plant and soil material. These substances have structures that readily react with chlorine and other disinfectants, producing byproducts such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. In typical surface waters, humic and fulvic acids contribute most to the potential for DBP formation, more so than simple volatile or synthetic organics or petroleum residues. Reducing these precursors through pretreatment steps that remove natural organic matter helps lower DBP formation.