Organic chloramines in chlorine-based disinfected watersystems: A critical review
Zuo Tong How , Ina Kristiana , Francesco Busetti , Kathryn L. Linge , Cynthia A. Joll
DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2017.05.025
Received November 19, 2016,Revised May 15, 2017, Accepted May 15, 2017, Available online May 25, 2017
Volume 29,2017,Pages 2-18
This paper is a critical review of current knowledge of organic chloramines in water systems,including their formation, stability, toxicity, analyticalmethods for detection, and their impact
on drinking water treatment and quality. The term organic chloramines may refer to any
halogenated organic compounds measured as part of combined chlorine (the difference
between themeasured free and total chlorine concentrations), andmay include N-chloramines,
N-chloramino acids, N-chloraldimines and N-chloramides. Organic chloramines can form
when dissolved organic nitrogen or dissolved organic carbon react with either free chlorine
or inorganic chloramines. They are potentially harmful to humans and may exist as an
intermediate for other disinfection by-products. However, little information is available on the
formation or occurrence of organic chloramines in water due to a number of challenges. One of
the biggest challenges for the identification and quantification of organic chloramines in water
systems is the lack of appropriate analytical methods. In addition, many of the organic
chloramines that formduring disinfection are unstable,which results in difficulties in sampling
and detection. To date research has focussed on the study of organic monochloramines.
However, given that breakpoint chlorination is commonly undertaken in water treatment
systems, the formation of organic dichloramines should also be considered. Organic
chloramines can be formed frommany different precursors and pathways. Therefore, studying
the occurrence of their precursors in water systems would enable better prediction and
management of their formation.
