Heterogeneity of natural organic matter from the Chena River, Alaska

Disinfection by-products (DBP) are formed when natural organic matter (NOM) in water reacts with a disinfectant, usually chlorine. DBPs are a health risk element and regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. A study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of NOM that contribute to DBPs in 17 different drinking water systems in Alaska. In order to determine the nature of the organic matter contributing to DBPs, DBP formation potential was compared with standard water quality parameters such as UV-254, color and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), as well as pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results showed strong correlations between UV-254 and DBP formation potential for all waters studied. DOC, on the other hand, was less strongly correlated to DBP formation potential. Unlike previous studies, the total trihalomethane and haloacetic acid formation potentials were equal on a mass concentration basis for the waters studied. Pyrolysis-GC/MS indicated that NOM contributing to DBPs were primarily phenolic compounds. This finding was consistent with previous studies; however, unlike other studies, no correlation was found between aliphatic compounds in the raw waters and DBP formation potential.