Insight into the mechanisms of trichloronitromethane formation by vacuum ultraviolet: QSAR model and FTICR-MS analysis


John C. Crittenden , Xiaojun Chen , Yangtao Wu , Weiqiu Zhang , Lingjun Bu , Shumin Zhu , Da Sheng , Shiqing Zhou

DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2021.11.023

Received September 02, 2021,Revised , Accepted November 21, 2021, Available online February 11, 2022

Volume 35,2023,Pages 215-222

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis is recognized as an environmental-friendly treatment process. Nitrate (NO3) and natural organic matter (NOM) are widely present in water source. We investigated trichloronitromethane (TCNM) formation during chlorination after VUV photolysis, because TCNM is an unregulated highly toxic disinfection byproduct. In this study: (1) we found reactive nitrogen species that is generated under VUV photolysis of NO3 react with organic matter to form nitrogen-containing compounds and subsequently form TCNM during chlorination; (2) we found the mere presence of 0.1 mmol/L NO3 can result in the formation of up to 63.96 µg/L TCNM; (3) we found the changes in pH (6.0-8.0), chloride (1-4 mmol/L), and bicarbonate (1-4 mmol/L) cannot effectively diminish TCNM formation; and, (4) we established the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model, which indicated a linear relationship between TCNM formation and the Hammett constant (σ) of model compounds; and, (5) we characterized TCNM precursors in water matrix after VUV photolysis and found 1161 much more nitrogen-containing compounds with higher aromaticity were generated. Overall, this study indicates more attention should be paid to reducing the formation risk of TCNM when applying VUV photolysis process at scale.

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