Removal of Selected C‐ and N‐DBP Precursors in Biologically Active Filters. Issue 3 (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Selbes, Meric; Brown, Jess; Lauderdale, Chance; Karanfil, Tanju
• Is Part Of: Journal ‐ American Water Works Association. Volume 109:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: E73
• Page End: E84
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: biologically active filters -- carbonaceous DBPs -- DBP precursors -- nitrogenous DBPs; Precursors -- Disinfection Byproducts -- Biological Filters -- Trihalomethanes -- Haloacetic Acids -- Nitrogen -- Dissolved Organic Carbon -- Water Quality -- Biologically Active Filtration -- Granular Activated Carbon -- Phosphates; Water-supply -- United States -- Periodicals; Water-supply engineering -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.61097305
• DOI: 10.5942/jawwa.2017.109.0014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-150X

Abstract

Abstract : The performance of four pilot‐ and full‐scale biologically active filters (biofilters) was evaluated in terms of change in water quality parameters and removal of disinfection by‐product (DBP) precursors. Biologically active filtration successfully decreased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by 5–25% and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) by 5–38%. The removal of these parameters corresponded to some decreases in carbonaceous and nitrogenous DBP formation. Formation potential tests showed 13–45% and 18–57% reduction in the formation of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, respectively. Bromine incorporation factors of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids increased across the biofilters. Biofilters also showed 25–48%, 15–20%, and 34–50% removal of halonitromethane, haloacetonitrile, and N‐nitrosodimethylamine precursors, respectively. The effects of filter media and phosphate amendment were also evaluated in full‐ and pilot‐scale systems. Results showed that replacing the anthracite layer with granular activated carbon increased the removal of DOC, DON, and DBP precursors. Phosphate amendment had no distinct effect on the removal of DOC, DON, or DBP precursors.