Predicting N-nitrosamines: N-nitrosodiethanolamine as a significant component of total N-nitrosamines in recycled wastewater

Ning Dai, Teng Zeng, William A. Mitch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

N-Nitrosamines are key contaminants of concern for wastewater reuse. Although research has focused on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), measurements indicate that NDMA accounts for only ∼9% of total N-nitrosamines in wastewaters, similar to previous findings in drinking and recreational waters. Recognizing the limited time scale for biological transformation during wastewater treatment, we targeted N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) as a component of total N-nitrosamines based upon the widespread usage of its triethanolamine precursor in consumer products. NDELA accounted for ∼6% of total N-nitrosamines, exceeding NDMA concentrations in some cases, and those of all other specific N-nitrosamines measured. While ozone and chloramines increased NDMA concentrations by up to an order of magnitude, and chloramines increased NDELA concentrations in some cases, other N-nitrosamine concentrations did not increase. Total N-nitrosamine concentrations increased by only 38-89% during ozonation and 23-65% during chloramination, suggesting that, in wastewaters, the occurrence of N-nitrosamines upstream of disinfection may be more significant than their formation as disinfection byproducts. In three advanced treatment trains, reverse osmosis and UV/hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation reduced the levels of specific N-nitrosamines below their quantification limits, although 13-30 ng/L as NDMA of uncharacterized total N-nitrosamines remained.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)54-58
Number of pages5
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology Letters
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 10 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Pollution
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Chemistry

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