Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
2452682 
Journal Article 
Dissolved organic nitrogen in drinking water supplies: a review 
Westerhoff, P; Mash, H 
2002 
1 
Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology. AQUA
ISSN: 1606-9935
EISSN: 1605-3974 
51 
8 
415-448 
WOS:000180466600001 
Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is an issue for the water field primarily due to the formation of disinfection by-products of health concern and its potential role in membrane fouling This article reviews the following DON issues: (1) analytical measurement, (2) occurrence, (3) structural composition, and (4) treatability during potable water treatment. There is no direct measurement for DON, rather DON is calculated by the difference between total dissolved nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen ions. DON concentrations range from <0.1 to >10 mg N/l with a median value of similar to0.3 mg N/l in surface waters. DON sources include wastewater discharges, agricultural fertilizers, algae, forest litter and Soils. DON is comprised of a broad spectrum of molecular weight compounds encompassing multiple N-containing functional groups. Carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N or DOC/DON) range between 5 and 100 mg C/mg N (median similar to15 mg C/mg N), and may be a good indicator of organic matter sources. During chlorination higher org-N content leads to (1) increasing chlorine demand, (2) production of di-HAA>tri-HAA (3) production of HAA>THM and (4) production of higher levels for halogenated (nitromethanes, HANs) and non-halogenated (NDMA) org-N DBPs. Information on DON removal during potable water treatment is lacking and should be a focus of future research. 
dissolved organic nitrogen; natural organic matter; organic carbon