Formation and degradation of dichloroacetonitrile in drinking waters

Abstract

Research Article| February 01 2001 Formation and degradation of dichloroacetonitrile in drinking waters David A. Reckhow; David A. Reckhow 1Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Andrew L. MacNeill; Andrew L. MacNeill 1Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Teresa L. Platt; Teresa L. Platt 2Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA and Seattle Public Utilities, Water Engineering Division, Seattle, Washington Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Andrew L. MacNeill; Andrew L. MacNeill 1Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar John N. McClellan John N. McClellan 3Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA and Tighe & Bond Consulting Engineers, Westfield, Massachusetts Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2001) 50 (1): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2001.0001 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Cite Icon Cite Permissions Search Site Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll JournalsThis Journal Search Advanced Search Citation David A. Reckhow, Andrew L. MacNeill, Teresa L. Platt, Andrew L. MacNeill, John N. McClellan; Formation and degradation of dichloroacetonitrile in drinking waters. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 February 2001; 50 (1): 1–13. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2001.0001 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) is an important example of a reactive disinfection by-product for which a large body of occurrence data exists. Although it is known to undergo base-catalysed hydrolysis, DCAN's peculiar dependence on reaction time, chlorine dose and pH has never been fully reconciled with expectations based on its presumed precursor (i.e. amino acid residues). The purpose of this research was to improve existing models for DCAN degradation and to use this information for interpretation of DCAN concentration profiles.Laboratory studies were performed using buffered solutions of DCAN, natural organic matter (NOM) and treated drinking waters, both with and without free residual chlorine. DCAN concentrations were measured as a function of reaction time. Results indicate a decomposition scheme encompassing three pathways of hydrolysis: attack by hydroxide, hypochlorite and water. Any one of the three pathways may predominate in drinking water systems, depending on the pH and chlorine residual. The resulting chemical kinetic model was used to show that the DCAN formed (and subsequently decomposed) was often many times the actual measured DCAN concentration. DCAN formation was found to agree with expectations based on the underlying chemistry of chlorine attack on proteinaceous material. chlorine, dichloroacetonitrile, disinfection by-products, hydrolysis, kinetics, precursors This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2001 You do not currently have access to this content.