Data Results_Grundy_Aliphatic Carbonyls_v2

Abstract

Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) are formed during the chlorination of drinking water and present a risk to human health, with brominated DBPs identified as more toxic than their chlorinated counterparts. However, much of the research has focused on chlorinated DBPs and their formation from aromatic precursor organic matter. As aliphatic compounds are also known to form DBPs and to favour bromine incorporation, this research specifically focuses on the formation of haloacetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethanes (THMs) from smaller aliphatic carbonyl model compounds. This enables identification of the molecular level features most significant for increasing the risk by preferentially forming the more toxic brominated DBPs. This showed that β-keto acids present a particular problem due to their high Br-DBP formation potential. The enhanced understanding of the chemistry of Br-DBP formation from such hydrophilic organic precursors is important as such compounds are poorly removed by standard coagulation water treatment processes and are formed during oxidative treatment processes. Understanding which compounds form more Br-DBPs informs on which water sources may be concerning as well as the mitigation actions required to reduce risk in the chlorination of high bromide water sources. Significantly, strategies for controlling the risk from brominated DBPs become increasingly urgent as climate changes forces reliance on poorer quality, and likely higher bromide, drinking water sources.