Cometabolism of trihalomethanes by mixed culture nitrifiers

Water Res. 2006 Oct;40(18):3349-58. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2006.07.033. Epub 2006 Sep 12.

Abstract

Three mixed-culture nitrifier sources degraded low concentrations (25-450 microg/L) of four trihalomethanes (THMs) (trichloromethane (TCM) or chloroform, bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), tribromomethane (TBM) or bromoform) commonly found in treated drinking water. Individual THM rate constants (k1THM) increased with increasing THM bromine-substitution with TBM>DBCM>BDCM>TCM and were comparable to previous studies with the pure culture nitrifier, Nitrosomonas europaea. A decrease in temperature resulted in a decrease in both ammonia and THM degradation rates with ammonia rates affected to a greater extent than THM degradation rates. The significant effect of temperature indicates that seasonal variations in water temperature should be a consideration for technology implementation. Product toxicity, measured by transformation capacity (T(c)), was similar to that observed with N. europaea. Because both rate constants and product toxicities increase with increasing THM bromine-substitution, a water's THM speciation is an important consideration for process implementation during drinking water treatment. Even though a given water is kinetically favored, the resulting THM product toxicity may not allow stable treatment process performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biotransformation / physiology
  • Kinetics
  • Nitrosomonas europaea / metabolism*
  • Trihalomethanes / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*
  • Water Purification*

Substances

  • Trihalomethanes
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Ammonia