Dissolved organic nitrogen in drinking water supplies: a review

Research Article| December 01 2002 Dissolved organic nitrogen in drinking water supplies: a review Paul Westerhoff; Paul Westerhoff 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Box 5306, Tempe, AZ 85287-5306, USA Tel: 480-965-2885 Fax: 480-965-0557 E-mail: p.westerhoff@asu.edu E-mail: p.westerhoff@asu.edu Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Heath Mash Heath Mash 2National Center for Sustainable Water Supply, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Box 5306, Tempe, AZ 85287-5306, USA Tel: 480-965-2327 Fax: 480-965-0557 E-mail: heath.mash@asu.edu Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2002) 51 (8): 415–448. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2002.0038 Article history Received: February 23 2001 Accepted: August 27 2002 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures Dissolved organic nitrogen in drinking water supplies: a review. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 December 2002; 51 (8): 415–448. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2002.0038 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex 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 10 mg N/l with a median value of ∼0.3 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 ∼15 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 This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2002 You do not currently have access to this content.