Impact of UV/H2O2 pre-oxidation on the formation of haloacetamides and other nitrogenous disinfection byproducts during chlorination.

Haloacetamides (HAcAms), an emerging class of nitrogen-based disinfection byproducts (N-DBPs) of health concern in drinking water, have been found in drinking waters at μg/L levels. However, there is a limited understanding about the formation, speciation, and control of halogenated HAcAms. Higher ultraviolet (UV) doses and UV advanced oxidation (UV/H2O2) processes (AOPs) are under consideration for the treatment of trace organic pollutants. The objective of this study was to examine the potential of pretreatment with UV irradiation, H2O2 oxidation, and a UV/H2O2 AOP for minimizing the formation of HAcAms, as well as other emerging N-DBPs, during postchlorination. We investigated changes in HAcAm formation and speciation attributed to UV, H2O2 or UV/H2O2 followed by the application of free chlorine to quench any excess hydrogen peroxide and to provide residual disinfection. The results showed that low-pressure UV irradiation alone (19.5-585 mJ/cm(2)) and H2O2 preoxidation alone (2-20 mg/L) did not significantly change total HAcAm formation during subsequent chlorination. However, H2O2 preoxidation alone resulted in diiodoacetamide formation in two iodide-containing waters and increased bromine utilization. Alternatively, UV/H2O2 preoxidation using UV (585 mJ/cm(2)) and H2O2 (10 mg/L) doses typically employed for trace contaminant removal controlled the formation of HAcAms and several other N-DBPs in drinking water.