Characterization of lower Phong river dissolved organic matters and formations of unknown chlorine dioxide and chlorine disinfection by-products by Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) have been reported as precursors of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and its molecular characteristics are rarely investigated due to its complexity. In this study, changes in the characteristics of DOM were investigated in the lower Phong River in Thailand in dry season and after the first rain in rainy season, using a non-targeted analysis with Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The river was rich with CHO features dominated by lignin-like molecules, while lipid-like molecules increase after domestic wastewater discharges. Wastewater discharge released DOM with higher molecular weight (MW) that was less oxygenated (low O/C) and less oxidized (low carbon oxidation state [C-os]). A lake affected by anthropogenic activities contributed more oxidized DOM into the river, while surface runoff carried DOM that is more oxygenated (high O/C), less hydrogenated (low H/C), and more oxidized (high C-os) to the stream. Water treatment further modified DOM to be lower MW. Approximately three hundred Cl-containing features (CHOCI) detected upstream were also found downstream. Disinfection by chlorine (Cl-2) or chlorine dioxide (ClO2) formed both CHO and CHOCl DBPs. Low chlorine dosage applied to upstream and downstream samples resulted in many common unknown DBPs while increasing chlorine dosage resulted in more unique DBPs. At the same dosage, Cl-2 reacted with DOM more than ClO2, including more oxidized molecules that are refractory to ClO2. Both Cl-2 and ClO2 produced chlorinated and non-chlorinated DBPs, and some DBPs were commonly found by both disinfections. Cl-2-produced DBPs were more unsaturated (higher [DBE-O]/C) and oxidized (higher C-os) than ClO2-DBPs. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the lower Phong River in Thailand were found to be influenced by domestic wastewater discharges, anthropogenic activities, and surface runoff, with differences in molecular composition observed between dry season and rainy season. Disinfection by chlorine or chlorine dioxide resulted in the formation of both chlorinated and non-chlorinated disinfection byproducts, with differences in the types and characteristics of DBPs produced by each disinfectant.