Fate of Organic Pollutants in a Full-Scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant Using O₃-BAC

Abstract

This research investigated the fate of organic pollutants in each unit of a full-scale O₃-BAC (biological activated carbon) drinking water treatment plant with micro-polluted raw water under different temperatures. Total organic matters were largely removed with low DBPs (disinfection by-products) formed. Large molecules were broken into smaller ones by O₃ and middle-sized ones totally removed. Concentration of polysaccharide decreased except under high temperature. Small molecule contaminant species of refractory industrial additives, hydrocarbons, aromatics, herbicides, possible DBPs, etc., were detected. Some species passed through treatment process, some were removed and also new species formed.

Keywords:

• Ozone
• Biological Activated Carbon (BAC)
• Disinfection By-Products (DBPs)
• Drinking Water Treatment
• GC/MS
• Molecular Weight Distribution
• Organic Pollutants
• Polysaccharide

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 51108093 and No. 51078091; and Supporting Program of the “Twelfth Five-year Plan” for Science and Technical Research of China (No. 2013BAC01B01).