Factors controlling <italic>N</italic>-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation from dissolved organic matter

doi:10.1007/s11783-013-0482-7

Front Envir Sci Eng

2013, Vol. 7

Issue (2) : 151-157 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-013-0482-7

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Factors controlling N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation from dissolved organic matter

Chengkun WANG, Xiaojian ZHANG, Chao CHEN(

), Jun WANG

School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Download: PDF(241 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

The formation of cancinogenic nitrosamines, esp. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in water and wastewater treatment plants has drawn much attention in recent years. Dissolved organic matter from the transported Luan River water as water source of Tianjin was fractionated with different XAD resins and a series of ultra-filtration membranes with molecular weight (MW) cut-offs of 5k Da, 3k Da, and 1k Da, respectively. The NDMA yields from the raw water and each fraction were measured to investigate their role in NDMA yield. Results indicated that the hydrophilic fraction had a higher NDMA yield than those of hydrophobic fraction and transphilic fraction. The fraction with MW below 1k Da had a higher NDMA yield than that with larger MW. NDMA formation increased as the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) ratio decreased, which indicated that DON might serve as the real important precursor for NDMA. The correlation between NDMA yield and specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA₂₅₄) suggested that the latter might not represent the specific precursors for NDMA in the water. Besides the water quality, the influences of pH, disinfectant dosage, and disinfection contact time on the formation of NDMA were also examined. These results will help water treatment plants establish measures to control this harmful disinfection by-product.

Keywords N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) disinfection by-product dissolved organic nitrogen (DOC) hydrophilic molecular weight (MW) specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA₂₅₄)

Corresponding Author(s): CHEN Chao,Email:chen_water@tsinghua.edu.cn

Issue Date: 01 April 2013

Cite this article:

Chengkun WANG,Chao CHEN,Jun WANG, et al. Factors controlling N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation from dissolved organic matter[J]. Front Envir Sci Eng, 2013, 7(2): 151-157.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-013-0482-7
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2013/V7/I2/151

Fig.1 NDMA yields from raw water and each fraction obtained by XAD resins (RW: raw water, HPO: hydrophobic fraction, TPI: transphilic fraction, HPI: hydrophilic fraction, pH= 8, = 25°C, [monochloramine] = 20 mg·L as Cl, reaction time= 7 d. The error bars depict one standard error of three injections)

Fig.2 NDMA yields from raw water and each fraction obtained by ultra-filtration membranes (RW: raw water, pH= 8, = 25°C, [monochloramine] = 20 mg·L as Cl, reaction time= 7 d. The error bars depict one standard error of three injections)

Fig.3 NDMA yields from raw water and each fraction as a function of DOC/DON with monochloramine treatment (pH= 8, = 25℃, [monochloramine] = 20 mg·L as Cl, reaction time= 7 d)

Fig.4 NDMA yields from raw water and each fraction as a function of SUVA with monochloramine treatment (pH= 8, = 25℃, [monochloramine] = 20 mg·L as Cl, reaction time= 7 d)

Fig.5 NDMA yields from raw water disinfected with monochloramine, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide (pH= 8, = 25℃, [disinfectant] = 20 mg·L as Cl, reaction time= 7 d, DOC= 3.21 mg·L. The error bars depict one standard error of three injections)

Fig.6 NDMA yields from raw water samples as a function of monochloramine dose. ( = 25℃, reaction time= 7 d, pH= 8, DOC= 3.21 mg·L. The error bars depict one standard error of three injections)

Fig.7 NDMA yields from raw waters as a function of pH. ( = 25℃, [monochloramine] = 20 mg·L as Cl, reaction time= 7 d, DOC= 3.21 mg·L. The error bars depict one standard error of three injections)

Fig.8 NDMA yields from raw water as a function of disinfection contact time. ( = 25℃, [monochloramine] = 20 mg·L as Cl, pH= 8, DOC= 3.21 mg·L. The error bars depict one standard error of three injections)

1	Charrois J W A, Arend M W, Froese K L, Hrudey S E. Detecting N-nitrosamines in drinking water at nanogram per liter levels using ammonia positive chemical ionization. Environmental Science & Technology , 2004, 38(18): 4835–4841 doi: 10.1021/es049846j pmid:15487793
2	Charrois J W A, Boyd J M, Froese K L, Hrudey S E. Occurrence of N-nitrosamines in Alberta public drinking-water distribution systems. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science , 2007, 6(1): 103–114 doi: 10.1139/s06-031
3	Planas C, Palacios O, Ventura F, Rivera J, Caixach J. Analysis of nitrosamines in water by automated SPE and isotope dilution GC/HRMS occurrence in the different steps of a drinking water treatment plant, and in chlorinated samples from a reservoir and a sewage treatment plant effluent. Talanta , 2008, 76(4): 906–913 doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2008.04.060 pmid:18656677
4	Asami M, Oya M, Kosaka K. A nationwide survey of NDMA in raw and drinking water in Japan. The Science of the Total Environment , 2009, 407(11): 3540–3545 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.02.014 pmid:19285338
5	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. N-nitrosodimethylamine CASRN 62-75-9, Intergrated Risk Information Service (IRIS) Substance File. Washington DC, USA: USEPA, 1997
6	Zhao Y Y, Boyd J, Hrudey S E, Li X F. Characterization of new nitrosamines in drinking water using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Environmental Science & Technology , 2006, 40(24): 7636–7641 doi: 10.1021/es061332s pmid:17256506
7	Choi J, Valentine R L. Formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from reaction of monochloramine: a new disinfection by-product. Water Research , 2002, 36(4): 817–824 doi: 10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00303-7 pmid:11848351
8	Mitch W A, Sedlak D L. Formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from dimethylamine during chlorination. Environmental Science & Technology , 2002, 36(4): 588–595 doi: 10.1021/es010684q pmid:11878371
9	Weissmahr K W, Sedlak D L. Effect of metal complexation on the degradation of dithiocarbamate fungicides. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry , 2000, 19(4): 820–826 doi: 10.1002/etc.5620190406
10	Mitch W A, Sedlak D L. Characterization and fate of N-nitrosodimethylamine precursors in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Science & Technology , 2004, 38(5): 1445–1454 doi: 10.1021/es035025n pmid:15046346
11	Lee W, Westerhoff P, Croué J P. Dissolved organic nitrogen as a precursor for chloroform, dichloroacetonitrile, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and trichloronitromethane. Environmental Science & Technology , 2007, 41(15): 5485–5490 doi: 10.1021/es070411g pmid:17822121
12	Chen W H, Young T M. Influence of nitrogen source on NDMA formation during chlorination of diuron. Water Research , 2009, 43(12): 3047–3056 doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2009.04.020 pmid:19457535
13	Park S H, Wei S T, Mizaikoff B, Taylor A E, Favero C, Huang C H. Degradation of amine-based water treatment polymers during chloramination as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors. Environmental Science & Technology , 2009, 43(5): 1360–1366 doi: 10.1021/es802732z pmid:19350904
14	Gerecke A C, Sedlak D L. Precursors of N-nitrosodimethylamine in natural waters. Environmental Science & Technology , 2003, 37(7): 1331–1336 doi: 10.1021/es026070i
15	Chen Z, Valentine R L. Formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from humic substances in natural water. Environmental Science & Technology , 2007, 41(17): 6059–6065 doi: 10.1021/es0705386 pmid:17937282
16	Zhao Y Y, Boyd J M, Woodbeck M, Andrews R C, Qin F, Hrudey S E, Li X F. Formation of N-nitrosamines from eleven disinfection treatments of seven different surface waters. Environmental Science & Technology , 2008, 42(13): 4857–4862 doi: 10.1021/es7031423 pmid:18678017
17	Chen Z, Valentine R L. Modeling the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from the reaction of natural organic matter (NOM) with monochloramine. Environmental Science & Technology , 2006, 40(23): 7290–7297 doi: 10.1021/es0605319 pmid:17180980
18	Mitch W A, Gerecke A C, Sedlak D L. A N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursor analysis for chlorination of water and wastewater. Water Research , 2003, 37(15): 3733–3741 doi: 10.1016/S0043-1354(03)00289-6 pmid:12867341
19	Aiken G R, McKnight D M, Thorn K A, Thurman E M. Isolation of hydrophilic organic acids from water using nonionic macroporous resins. Organic Geochemistry , 1992, 18(4): 567–607 doi: 10.1016/0146-6380(92)90119-I
20	Yang X, Shang C, Lee W, Westerhoff P, Fan C. Correlations between organic matter properties and DBP formation during chloramination. Water Research , 2008, 42(8-9): 2329–2339 doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.12.021 pmid:18222525
21	APHA, AWWA, WEF. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 18th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 1992
22	Wu V C H, Kim B. Effect of a simple chlorine dioxide method for controlling five foodborne pathogens, yeasts and molds on blueberries. Food Microbiology , 2007, 24(7-8): 794–800 doi: 10.1016/j.fm.2007.03.010 pmid:17613378
23	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/600/R-05/054. Determination of Nitrosamines in Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and Capillary Column Gas Chromatography with Large Volume Injection and Chemical Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) . Washington, DC: USEPA, 2004
24	Hua G, Reckhow D A. Characterization of disinfection byproduct precursors based on hydrophobicity and molecular size. Environmental Science & Technology , 2007, 41(9): 3309–3315 doi: 10.1021/es062178c pmid:17539542
25	Chen C, Zhang X J, Zhu L X, He W J, Han H D. Changes in different organic matter fractions during conventional treatment and advanced treatment. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China , 2011, 23(4): 582–586 doi: 10.1016/S1001-0742(10)60423-8 pmid:21793399
26	Chen C, Zhang X J, Zhu L X, Liu J, He W J, Han H D. Disinfection by-products and their precursors in a water treatment plant in North China: seasonal changes and fraction analysis. The Science of the Total Environment , 2008, 397(1-3): 140–147 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.02.032 pmid:18400262
27	Pehlivanoglu-Mantas E, Sedlak D L. Measurement of dissolved organic nitrogen forms in wastewater effluents: concentrations, size distribution and NDMA formation potential. Water Research , 2008, 42(14): 3890–3898 doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.05.017 pmid:18672263
28	Croue J P, Korshin G V, Benjamin M. Characterization of Natural Organic Matter in Drinking Water. Denver: AWWA Research Foundation, 1999
29	Westerhoff P, Mash H. Dissolved organic nitrogen in drinking water supplies: a review. Journal of Water Supply: Research & Technology - Aqua , 2002, 51(8): 415–448
30	Westerhoff P, Chao P, Mash H. Reactivity of natural organic matter with aqueous chlorine and bromine. Water Research , 2004, 38(6): 1502–1513 doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2003.12.014 pmid:15016527
31	Najm I, Trussell R R. NDMA information in water and wastewater. Journal - American Water Works Association , 2001, 93(2): 92–102
32	Luo X H. Formation studies on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in natural waters. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree . Columbia: University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006

[1]	Feng Zhu, Zhijian Yao, Wenliang Ji, Deye Liu, Hao Zhang, Aimin Li, Zongli Huo, Qing Zhou. An efficient resin for solid-phase extraction and determination by UPLCMS/MS of 44 pharmaceutical personal care products in environmental waters[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(3): 51-.
[2]	Xiaoyan Guo, Chunyu Li, Chenghao Li, Tingting Wei, Lin Tong, Huaiqi Shao, Qixing Zhou, Lan Wang, Yuan Liao. G-CNTs/PVDF mixed matrix membranes with improved antifouling properties and filtration performance[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(6): 81-.
[3]	Zhichao Wu, Chang Zhang, Kaiming Peng, Qiaoying Wang, Zhiwei Wang. Hydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic graphene oxide membrane intercalated by TiO₂ nanotubes for oil/water separation[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2018, 12(3): 15-.
[4]	Yulong Shi, Jiaxuan Yang, Jun Ma, Congwei Luo. Feasibility of bubble surface modification for natural organic matter removal from river water using dissolved air flotation[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2017, 11(6): 10-.
[5]	Shuai Liang, Peng Gao, Xiaoqi Gao, Kang Xiao, Xia Huang. Improved blending strategy for membrane modification by virtue of surface segregation using surface-tailored amphiphilic nanoparticles[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2016, 10(6): 9-.
[6]	Xiaolu ZHANG,Hongwei YANG,Xiaofeng WANG,Yu ZHAO,Xiaomao WANG,Yuefeng XIE. Concentration levels of disinfection by-products in 14 swimming pools of China[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2015, 9(6): 995-1003.
[7]	Xiaojiang FAN,Yi TAO,Dequan WEI,Xihui ZHANG,Ying LEI,Hiroshi NOGUCHI. Removal of organic matter and disinfection by-products precursors in a hybrid process combining ozonation with ceramic membrane ultrafiltration[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2015, 9(1): 112-120.
[8]	Jin GUO, Feng SHENG, Jianhua GUO, Xiong YANG, Mintao MA, Yongzhen PENG. Characterization of the dissolved organic matter in sewage effluent of sequence batch reactor: the impact of carbon source[J]. Front Envir Sci Eng, 2012, 6(2): 280-287.
[9]	Bingbing XU, Zhonglin CHEN, Fei QI, Jimin SHEN, Fengchang WU. Factors influencing the photodegradation of N-nitrosodimethylamine in drinking water[J]. Front Envir Sci Eng Chin, 2009, 3(1): 91-97.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed