Synergistic effect of the sequential use of UV irradiation and chlorine to disinfect reclaimed water

The effectiveness of UV and chlorination, used individually and sequentially, was investigated in killing pathogenic microorganisms and inhibiting the formation of disinfection by-products in two different municipal wastewaters for the source water of reclaimed water, which were from a microfilter (W1) and membrane bioreactor (W2) respectively. Heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total bacteria count (TBC), and total coliform (TC) were selected to evaluate the efficiency of different disinfection processes. UV inactivation of the three bacteria followed first-order kinetics in W1 wastewater, but in W2 wastewater, the UV dose-response curve trailed beyond approximately 10 mJ/cm² UV. The higher number of particles in the W2 might have protected the bacteria against UV damage, as UV light alone was not effective in killing HPC in W2 wastewater with higher turbidity. However, chlorine was more effective in W2 than in W1 for the three bacteria inactivation owing to the greater formation of inorganic and organic chloramines in W1 wastewater. Complete inactivation of HPC in W1 wastewater required a chlorine dose higher than 5.5 mg/L, whereas 4.5 mg/L chlorine gave the equivalent result in W2 wastewater. In contrast, sequential UV and chlorine treatment produced a synergistic effect in both wastewater systems and was the most effective option for complete removal of all three bacteria. UV disinfection lowered the required chlorine dose in W1, but not in W2, because of the higher chlorine consumption in W2 wastewater. However, UV irradiation decreased total trihalomethane formation during chlorination in both wastewaters.     

Comparison of advanced oxidation processes for the removal of natural organic matter

This study examined the impact of UV, ozone (O₃), advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) including O₃/UV, H₂O₂/UV H₂O₂/O₃ in the change of molecular weight distribution (MWD) and disinfection by-product formation potential (DBPFP). Bench-scale experiments were conducted with surface river water and changes in the UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV₂₅₄), total organic carbon (TOC), trihalomethane and haloacetic acid formation potential (THMFP, HAAFP) and MWD of the raw and oxidized water were analyzed to evaluate treatment performance. Combination of O₃ and UV with H₂O₂ was found to result in more TOC and UV₂₅₄ reduction than the individual processes. The O₃/UV process was found to be the most effective AOP for NOM reduction, with TOC and UV₂₅₄ reduced by 31 and 88%, respectively. Application of O₃/UV and H₂O₂/UV treatments to the source waters organics with 190-1500 Da molecular weight resulted in the near complete alteration of the molecular weight of NOM from >900 Da to <300 Da H₂O₂/UV was found to be the most effective treatment for the reduction of THM and HAA formation under uniform formation conditions. These results could hold particular significance for drinking water utilities with low alkalinity source waters that are investigating AOPs, as there are limited published studies that have evaluated the treatment efficacy of five different oxidation processes in parallel.     

The effect of inorganic precursors on disinfection byproduct formation during UV-chlorine/chloramine drinking water treatment

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is being increasingly used in drinking water treatment. It is important to understand how its application to different types of water may influence finished water quality, particularly as anthropogenic activity continues to impact the quality of source waters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inorganic precursors on the formation of regulated and unregulated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during UV irradiation of surface waters when combined with chlorination or chloramination. Samples were collected from three drinking water utilities supplied by source waters with varying organic and inorganic precursor content. The filtered samples were treated in the laboratory with a range of UV doses delivered from low pressure (LP, UV output at 253.7 nm) and medium pressure (MP, polychromatic UV output 200-400 nm) mercury lamps followed by chlorination or chloramination, in the presence and absence of additional bromide and nitrate. The regulated trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids were not affected by UV pretreatment at disinfection doses (40-186 mJ/cm²). With higher doses (1000 mJ/cm²), trihalomethane formation was increased 30-40%. While most effects on DBPs were only observed with doses much higher than typically used for UV disinfection, there were some effects on unregulated DBPs at lower doses. In nitrate-spiked samples (1-10 mg N/L), chloropicrin formation doubled and increased three- to six-fold with 40 mJ/cm² MP UV followed by chloramination and chlorination, respectively. Bromopicrin formation was increased in samples containing bromide (0.5-1 mg/L) and nitrate (1-10 mg N/L) when pretreated with LP or MP UV (30-60% with 40 mJ/cm² LP UV and four- to ten-fold increase with 40 mJ/cm² MP UV, after subsequent chlorination). The formation of cyanogen chloride doubled and increased three-fold with MP UV doses of 186 and 1000 mJ/cm², respectively, when followed by chloramination in nitrate-spiked samples but remained below the World Health Organization guideline value of 70 μg/L in all cases. MP UV and high LP UV doses (1000 mJ/cm²) increased chloral hydrate formation after subsequent chlorination (20-40% increase for 40 mJ/cm² MP UV). These results indicate the importance of bench-testing DBP implications of UV applications in combination with post-disinfectants as part of the engineering assessment of a UV-chlorine/chloramine multi-barrier disinfection design for drinking water treatment.     

The role of effluent nitrate in trace organic chemical oxidation during UV disinfection

Most conventional biological treatment wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contain nitrate in the effluent. Nitrate undergoes photolysis when irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light in the 200-240 and 300-325 nm wavelength range. In the process of nitrate photolysis, nitrite and hydroxyl radicals are produced. Medium pressure mercury lamps emitting a polychromatic UV spectrum including irradiation below 240 nm are becoming more common for wastewater disinfection. Therefore, nitrified effluent irradiated with polychromatic UV could effectively become a de facto advanced oxidation (hydroxyl radical) treatment process. UV-based advanced oxidation processes commonly rely on addition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of UV irradiation for production of hydroxyl radicals. This study compares the steady-state concentration of hydroxyl radicals produced by nitrate contained in a conventional WWTP effluent to that produced by typical concentrations of hydrogen peroxide used for advanced oxidation treatment of water. The quantum yield of hydroxyl radical production from nitrate by all pathways was calculated to be 0.24 ± 0.03, and the quantum yield of hydroxyl radicals from nitrite was calculated to be 0.65 ± 0.06. A model was developed that would estimate production of hydroxyl radicals directly from nitrate and water quality parameters. In effluents with >5 mg-N/L of nitrate, the concentration of hydroxyl radicals is comparable to that produced by addition of 10 mg/L of H₂O₂. Nitrifying wastewater treatment plants utilizing polychromatic UV systems at disinfection dose levels can be expected to achieve up to 30% degradation of some micropollutants by hydroxyl radical oxidation. Increasing UV fluence to levels used during advanced oxidation could achieve over 95% degradation of some compounds.     

Impact of microparticles on UV disinfection of indigenous aerobic spores

Numerous studies have shown that the efficacy of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection can be hindered by the presence of particles that can shield microorganisms. The main objective of this study was to determine to what extent natural particulate matter can shield indigenous spores of aerobic spore-forming bacteria (ASFB) from UV rays. The extent of the protective shielding was assessed by comparing the inactivation rates in three water fractions (untreated, dispersed and filtered on an 8 microm membrane) using a collimated beam apparatus with a low-pressure lamp emitting at 254 nm. Levels of inactivation were then related to the distribution and abundance of particles as measured by microflow imaging. Disinfection assays were completed on two source waters of different quality and particle content. A protocol was developed to break down particles and disperse aggregates (addition of 100mg/L of Zwittergent 3-12 and blending at 8000 rpm for 4 min). Particle size distribution (PSD) analysis confirmed a statistically significant decrease in the number of particles for diameter ranges above 5 microm following the dispersion protocol and 8 microm filtration. The fluence required to reach 1-log inactivation of ASFB spores was independent of particle concentration, while that required to reach 2-log inactivation or more was correlated with the concentration of particles larger than 8 microm (R(2)>0.61). Results suggest that natural particulate matter can protect indigenous organisms from UV radiation in waters with elevated particle content, while source water with low particle counts may not be subject to this interference.     

Impact of UV disinfection on microbially available phosphorus,organic carbon,and microbial growth in drinking water

UV irradiation at a wavelength of 253.7 nm (UV(254)) is commonly used for drinking water disinfection. UV radiation is known to convert organically combined phosphorus to orthophosphate and to degrade natural organic matter. We studied if UV disinfection increases the amount of microbially available forms of organic carbon and phosphorus in drinking waters with different characteristics, and if these changes in water chemical quality could enhance the microbial growth in drinking water. The UV(254) dose (15-50 mWs/cm(2)) used in waterworks reduced the concentration of assimilable organic carbon and the sum of the molecular size fractions. The release of microbially available phosphorus needed higher doses (204 mWs/cm(2)) of UV(254) radiation. Of bacteria in drinking water, 90% were inactivated with UV(254)-irradiation doses below 50 mWs/cm(2). A high dose (501 mWs/cm(2)) of UV(254) radiation inhibited the microbial growth in water.     

Application of GaN-based ultraviolet-C light emitting diodes--UV LEDs--for water disinfection

GaN-based ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light emitting diodes (LEDs) are of great interest for water disinfection. They offer significant advantages compared to conventional mercury lamps due to their compact form factor, low power requirements, high efficiency, non-toxicity, and overall robustness. However, despite the significant progress in the performance of semiconductor based UV LEDs that has been achieved in recent years, these devices still suffer from low emission power and relatively short lifetimes. Even the best UV LEDs exhibit external quantum efficiencies of only 1-2%.The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of GaN-based UV LEDs for water disinfection. The investigation included the evaluation of the performance characteristics of UV LEDs at different operating conditions as well as the design of a UV LED module in view of the requirements for water treatment applications. Bioanalytical testing was conducted using Bacillus subtilis spores as test organism and UV LED modules with emission wavelengths of 269 nm and 282 nm.The results demonstrate the functionality of the developed UV LED disinfection modules. GaN-based UV LEDs effectively inactivated B. subtilis spores during static and flow-through tests applying varying water qualities. The 269 nm LEDs reached a higher level of inactivation than the 282 nm LEDs for the same applied fluence. The lower inactivation achieved by the 282 nm LEDs was compensated by their higher photon flux. First flow-through tests indicate a linear correlation between inactivation and fluence, demonstrating a well designed flow-through reactor. With improved light output and reduced costs, GaN-based UV LEDs can provide a promising alternative for decentralised and mobile water disinfection systems.     

Influence of humic substances on the ultraviolet disinfection of surface waters

The efficiency of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and the regrowth potential of total coliforms were investigated in humic waters. Experiments were conducted according to an experimental design in which a UV radiation dose range of 68–681 mW s/cm² was applied to waters containing various concentrations (0–10 mg/L) of fulvic acid. Experimental results strongly suggested that the harmful effect of UV radiation on bacteria was diminished in humic waters due to absorption of UV light. Increasing concentrations of fulvic acid appeared to enhance its influence with elevated doses of UV radiation. Measured inactivation responses were on the order of 1–6 log₁₀ units for the UV dose range used. Comparison of k (inactivation coefficient) values for nonhumic water to highly humic water indicated that k decreased proportionally as the fulvic acid concentration of water was increased. The results of dark‐incubation tests indicated significant regrowth of bacteria in fulvic acid‐containing waters.     

Comparative effect of simulated solar light,UV, UV/H2O2 and photo-Fenton treatment (UV–Vis/H2O2/Fe) in the Escherichia coli inactivation in artificial seawater

Innovative disinfection technologies are being studied for seawater, seeking a viable alternative to chlorination. This study proposes the use of H₂O₂/UV₂₅₄ and photo-Fenton as disinfection treatment in seawater. The irradiations were carried out using a sunlight simulator (Suntest) and a cylindrical UV reactor. The efficiency of the treatment was compared for Milli-Q water, Leman Lake water and artificial seawater. The presence of bicarbonates and organic matter was investigated in order to evaluate possible effects on the photo-Fenton disinfection treatment. The photo-Fenton treatment, employing 1 mg L⁻¹ Fe²⁺ and 10 mg L⁻¹ of H₂O₂, led to the fastest bacterial inactivation kinetics. Using H₂O₂/UV₂₅₄ high disinfection rates were obtained similar to those obtained with photo-Fenton under UV₂₅₄ light. In Milli-Q water, the rate of inactivation for Escherichia coli was higher than in Leman Lake water and seawater due to the lack of inorganic ions affecting negatively bacteria inactivation. The presence of bicarbonate showed scavenging of the OH^• radicals generated in the treatment of photo-Fenton and H₂O₂/UV₂₅₄. Despite the negative effect of inorganic ions, especially HCO₃^-, the disinfection treatments with AOPs in lake water and seawater improved significantly the disinfection compared to light alone (simulated sunlight and UV₂₅₄). In the treatment of photo-Fenton with simulated sunlight, dissolved organic matter had a beneficial effect by increasing the rate of inactivation. This is associated with the formation of Fe³⁺-organo photosensitive complexes leading to the formation of ROS able to inactivate bacteria. This effect was not observed in the photo-Fenton with UV₂₅₄. Growth of E. coli surviving in seawater was observed 24 and 48 h after treatment with UV light. However, growth of surviving bacteria was not detected after photo-Fenton with UV₂₅₄ and H₂O₂/UV₂₅₄ treatments.     

Measurement of dissolved organic nitrogen in a drinking water treatment plant: size fraction, fate, and relation to water quality parameters

This paper investigates the characteristics of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in raw water from the Huangpu River and also in water undergoing treatment in the full-scale Yangshupu drinking water treatment plant (YDWTP) in Shanghai, China. The average DON concentration of the raw water was 0.34 mg/L, which comprised a relatively small portion (~ 5%) of the mass of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN). The molecular weight (MW) distribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was divided into five groups: > 30, 10-30, 3-10, 1-3 and < 1 kDa using a series of ultrafiltration membranes. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV absorbance at wavelength of 254 nm (UV254) and DON of each MW fraction were analyzed. DON showed a similar fraction distribution as DOC and UV254. The < 1 kDa fraction dominated the composition of DON, DOC and UV254 as well as the major N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potential (NDMAFP) in the raw water. However, this DON fraction cannot be effectively removed in the treatment line at the YDWTP including pre-ozonation, clarification and sand filtration processes. The results from linear regression analysis showed that DON is moderately correlated to DOC, UV254 and trihalomethane formation potential (FP), and strongly correlated to haloacetic acids FP and NDMAFP. Therefore, DON could serve as a surrogate parameter to evaluate the reactivity of DOM and disinfection by-products FP.     

Effect of particles and bioflocculation on ultraviolet disinfection of Escherichia coli

Presence of particles is known to decrease the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection by shielding the targeted microorganisms from UV light. This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding on the effect of particles and flocs on UV disinfection by using a stable, well-defined and well-controlled synthetic system that can simulate the bioflocculation of particles and microorganisms in water and wastewater samples. The synthetic system was created by using Escherichia coli, latex particles (1, 3.2, 11, 25, and 45 μm), alginate, and divalent cations; and the bioflocculation of particles was achieved naturally, as it would occur in the environment, without using chemical coagulants. E. coli was quantified before and after UV disinfection using membrane filtration. Even in the absence of particles, some of the self-aggregated E. coli could survive a UV dose of 90 mJ/cm². E. coli inactivation levels measured in the presence of particles were lower than the inactivation levels measured in the absence of particles. At low UV doses (<9 mJ/cm²), neither particle size nor degree of flocculation had a significant effect on the inactivation of E. coli. Particle size had a significant effect on the inactivation of E. coli only at high UV doses (80 mJ/cm²), and larger particles (e.g., 25 μm) protected bacteria more compared to smaller particles (e.g., 3.2 and 11 μm). What size of particles flocs were made of (3.2, 11, and 25 μm) did not make a significant difference on the inactivation levels of E. coli. For 3.2 μm particles, there was no significant difference in E. coli inactivation between non-flocculated and flocculated samples at any UV dose. For 11 and 25 μm particles, there was a significant difference in E. coli inactivation between non-flocculated and flocculated samples at 80 mJ/cm². Degree of flocculation became a significant factor in determining the number of surviving bacteria only at high UV doses and only for larger particles.     

Source water quality effects on monochloramine inactivation of adenovirus, coxsackievirus, echovirus, and murine norovirus

There is a need for more information regarding monochloramine disinfection efficacy for viruses in water. In this study, monochloramine disinfection efficacy was investigated for coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5), echovirus 11 (E11), murine norovirus (MNV), and human adenovirus 2 (HAdV2) in one untreated ground water and two partially treated surface waters. Duplicate disinfection experiments were completed at pH 7 and 8 in source water at concentrations of 1 and 3 mg/L monochloramine at 5 and 15 °C. The Efficiency Factor Hom (EFH) model was used to calculate CT values (mg-min/L) required to achieve 2-, 3-, and 4-log₁₀ reductions in viral titers. In all water types, monochloramine disinfection was most effective for MNV, with 3-log₁₀ CT values at 5 °C ranging from 27 to 110. Monochloramine disinfection was least effective for HAdV2 and E11, depending on water type, with 3-log₁₀ CT values at 5 °C ranging from 1200 to 3300 and 810 to 2300, respectively. Overall, disinfection proceeded faster at 15 °C and pH 7 for all water types. Inactivation of the study viruses was significantly different between water types, but there was no indication that overall disinfection efficacy was enhanced or inhibited in any one water type. CT values for HAdV2 in two types of source water exceeded federal CT value recommendations in the US. The results of this study demonstrate that water quality impacts the inactivation of viruses and should be considered when developing chloramination plans.     

Application of a molecular biology concept for the detection of DNA damage and repair during UV disinfection

As nucleic acids are major targets in bacteria during standardised UV disinfection (254 nm), inactivation rates also depend on bacterial DNA repair. Due to UV-related DNA modifications, PCR-based approaches allow for a direct detection of DNA damage and repair during UV disinfection. By applying different primer sets, the correlation between amplicon length and PCR amplification became obvious. The longer the targeted DNA fragment was, the more UV-induced DNA lesions inhibited the PCR. Regeneration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium, and complex wastewater communities was recorded over a time period of 66 h. While phases of intensive repair and proliferation were found for P. aeruginosa, no DNA repair was detected by qPCR in E. faecium. Cultivation experiments verified these results. Despite high UV mediated inactivation rates original wastewater bacteria seem to express an enhanced robustness against irradiation. Regeneration of dominant and proliferation of low-abundant, probably UV-resistant species contributed to a strong post-irradiation recovery accompanied by a selection for β-Proteobacteria.     

Inactivation of indigenous coliform bacteria in unfiltered surface water by ultraviolet light

This study examined the potential for naturally occurring particles to protect indigenous coliform from ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in four surface waters. Tailing in the UV dose-response curve of the bacteria was observed in 3 of the 4 water samples after 1.3-2.6-log of log-linear inactivation, implying particle-related protection. The impact of particles was confirmed by comparing coliform UV inactivation data for parallel filtered (11 microm pore-size nylon filters) and unfiltered surface water. In samples from the Grand River (UVT: 65%/cm; 5.4 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU)) and the Rideau Canal (UVT: 60%/cm; 0.84 NTU), a limit of approximately 2.5 log inactivation was achieved in the unfiltered samples for a UV dose of 20 mJ/cm2 while both the filtered samples exhibited >3.4-log inactivation of indigenous coliform bacteria. The results suggest that particles as small as 11 microm, naturally found in surface water with low turbidity (<3NTU), are able to harbor indigenous coliform bacteria and offer protection from low-pressure UV light.     

Analysis of N-nitrosamines and other nitro(so) compounds in water by high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column UV photolysis/Griess reaction

Despite their potential carcinogenicity and probable formation during water disinfection processes, little is known about the occurrence of other nitro(so) compounds than a few specific N-nitroso compounds such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). An analytical method was developed to monitor various nitro(so) compounds including N-nitrosamines based on the Griess colorimetric determination of nitrite generated by UV-254 nm photolysis of nitro(so) compounds after separation by HPLC (HPLC-Post Column UV photolysis/Griess reaction (HPLC-PCUV)). To differentiate N-nitro(so) compounds (i.e. UV-labile) from other nitro(so) and N-containing compounds (i.e. UV-resistant), a pre-treatment was established by photolyzing solid-phase extracted samples at 254 nm (1000 mJ/cm²) and thus removing N-nitro(so) compounds selectively. Considering a 1000-fold concentration factor and extraction efficiencies (57–83%) during solid phase extraction, the method detection limits ranged from 4 to 28 ng/L for dimethylnitramine and eight N-nitrosamines (EPA 8270 nine nitrosamines mixture except for N-nitrosodiphenylamine). For four pool waters, the UV-resistant groups accounted for more than 78% of the estimated total concentration of nitro(so) and other N-containing compounds (6.1–48.6 nM). Only one unknown UV-labile compound was detected in one pool water (2.0–7.9 nM). NDMA was most frequently detected and N-nitrosodipropylamine (NDPA) and N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA) were additionally detected in one pool water. Chloramination of a secondary wastewater effluent with NDMA (0.2 nM) and UV-resistant compounds (7.9 nM) from a pilot-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant led to a significant formation of not only unidentified UV-resistant compounds (67.8 nM) and UV-labile compounds (14.6 nM), but also identified nitrosamines such as NDMA (4.3 nM), N-nitrosopiperidine (1.8 nM), NDPA (0.5 nM), and NDBA (0.5 nM). Overall, the novel HPLC-PCUV system is a powerful screening tool for the detection of (un)known N-nitro(so) as well as other nitro(so) and UV-induced nitrite-producing compounds.     

Norovirus and FRNA bacteriophage determined by RT-qPCR and infectious FRNA bacteriophage in wastewater and oysters

Norovirus (NoV), the leading cause of adult non-bacterial gastroenteritis can be commonly detected in wastewater but the extent of NoV removal provided by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is unclear. We monitored a newly commissioned WWTP with UV disinfection on a weekly basis over a six month period for NoV using RT-qPCR and for FRNA bacteriophage GA using both RT-qPCR (total concentration) and a plaque assay (infectious concentration). Mean concentrations of NoV GI and GII in influent wastewater were reduced by 0.25 and 0.41 log₁₀ genome copies 100 ml⁻¹, respectively by the WWTP. The mean concentration of total FRNA bacteriophage GA was reduced by 0.35 log genome copies 100 ml⁻¹ compared to a reduction of infectious FRNA bacteriophage GA of 2.13 log PFU 100 ml⁻¹. A significant difference between concentrations of infectious and total FRNA bacteriophage GA was observed in treated, but not in untreated wastewaters. We conclude that RT-qPCR in isolation underestimates the reduction of infectious virus during wastewater treatment. We further compared the concentrations of infectious virus in combined sewer overflow (CSO) and UV treated effluents using FRNA bacteriophage GA. A greater percentage (98%) of infectious virus is released in CSO discharges than UV treated effluent (44%). Following a CSO discharge, concentrations of NoV GII and infectious FRNA bacteriophage GA in oysters from less than the limit of detection to 3150 genome copies 100 g⁻¹ and 1050 PFU 100 g⁻¹ respectively.     

Determination of iodide,iodate and organo-iodine in waters with a new total organic iodine measurement approach

The dissolved iodine species that dominate aquatic systems are iodide, iodate and organo-iodine. These species may undergo transformation to one another and thus affect the formation of iodinated disinfection byproducts during disinfection of drinking waters or wastewater effluents. In this study, a fast, sensitive and accurate method for determining these iodine species in waters was developed by derivatizing iodide and iodate to organic iodine and measuring organic iodine with a total organic iodine (TOI) measurement approach. Within this method, organo-iodine was determined directly by TOI measurement; iodide was oxidized by monochloramine to hypoiodous acid and then hypoiodous acid reacted with phenol to form organic iodine, which was determined by TOI measurement; iodate was reduced by ascorbic acid to iodide and then determined as iodide. The quantitation limit of organo-iodine or sum of organo-iodine and iodide or sum of organo-iodine, iodide and iodate was 5 μg/L as I for a 40 mL water sample (or 2.5 μg/L as I for an 80 mL water sample, or 1.25 μg/L as I for a 160 mL water sample). This method was successfully applied to the determination of iodide, iodate and organo-iodine in a variety of water samples, including tap water, seawater, urine and wastewater. The recoveries of iodide, iodate and organo-iodine were 91–109%, 90–108% and 91–108%, respectively. The concentrations and distributions of iodine species in different water samples were obtained and compared.     

Effect of pre- and post-UV disinfection conditions on photoreactivation of fecal coliforms in wastewater effluents

Photoreactivation of microorganisms following UV disinfection can represent a disadvantage to using UV technology for wastewater treatment since recovery may, in some cases, reach several logs. Thus, decreasing photoreactivation can lead to considerable savings in capital and operating costs. Objectives of this study were to determine pre- and post-UV irradiation conditions which could decrease fecal coliform (FC) photoreactivation in wastewater effluents. Results indicated that delaying exposure to photoreactivating light for 3 h suppressed photoreactivation after relatively low UV doses of 10 and 20 mJ/cm². Moreover, at least 440 lux (0.065 mW/cm²) of visible light was needed to initiate photoreactivation. Additionally, photoreactivation decreased significantly when samples were exposed to visible light simultaneously or prior to UV irradiation. This was more significantly observed for winter samples, where photoreactivation decreased by nearly 50%. Finally, summer FC populations were more sensitive to inactivation and less able to photoreactivate than winter populations. The effect of visible light on photoreactivation levels may be explained by several photo-mechanisms of FC photolyase, such as photodecomposition of the MTHF co-factor and reduction of FAD.     

Preliminary laboratory investigation of disinfection by-product precursor removal using an advanced oxidation process

Natural organic matter (NOM) is ubiquitous in surface and ground waters throughout the world. During drinking water treatment, the NOM that remains in treated water can react with chlorine to form disinfection by‐products. It has been shown that titanium dioxide photocatalysis can achieve over 96% reduction in ultraviolet (UV)₂₅₄ absorbing species such as hydrophobic NOM and over 81% reduction in dissolved organic carbon (DOC). However, an additional filtration stage is required to recover the suspended catalyst before it is suitable for municipal drinking water application. To overcome this problem, we have used immobilised catalysts prepared using chemical sol–gels, and their performance has been assessed during bench‐scale experiments. An immobilised catalyst enables in situ regeneration using UV light and subsequent reuse of the catalyst. In this research, titanium dioxide sol–gels have been used to coat substrates at a laboratory scale. Results showed that the various coatings prepared had different removal efficiencies for both DOC and UV₂₅₄ absorbance. Maximum removals were 1.336 g/m² and 89%, respectively.     

重庆城市污水粪大肠菌污染源调查

对重庆市几个主要区县的城市污水排放口及医院污水排放口进行了抽样调查,结果显示未经处理的城市污水粪大肠菌值主要处于106~107个/L数量级,最大值与最小值之间相差4个数量级。医院污水处理系统虽设计安装有消毒装置,但运行管理不当,出水粪大肠菌严重超标,主要处于104~105个/L数量级,低于城市生活污水。比较了安装与未安装消毒装置的污水处理厂出水中粪大肠菌值,技术经济比较结果显示,氯法、紫外光和臭氧消毒技术在城市污水排放消毒和回用水消毒、医院污水排放消毒方面各有优缺点,宜根据实际情况单独或组合使用。