Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are disinfection by-products formed as a result of the reaction between chlorine and natural organic matter found in water. HAA concentrations have been observed to decrease at distribution system extremities. This decrease is associated with microbiological degradation by pipe wall biofilm. The objective of this study was to evaluate HAA degradation in a drinking water system in the presence of a biofilm and to identify the factors that influence this degradation. Degradation of dichloracetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) was observed in a simulated distribution system. The results obtained showed that different parameters came into play simultaneously in the degradation of HAAs, including retention time, water temperature, biomass, composition of organic matter, and pipe diameter. Seasonal variations had a major effect on HAA degradation and biomass quantity was lower by 1 to 2 logs in the winter and spring compared with the fall. HAA removal decreased with increasingly large pipe diameters. The specific effects of each of these factors were difficult to isolate from each other owing to interactions.
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Research Article|
March 01 2013
Haloacetic acid degradation by a biofilm in a simulated drinking water distribution system Available to Purchase
C. Pluchon;
C. Pluchon
1Department of Civil Engineering, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Laval University, 1065 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, G1V 0A6, Canada
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J. B. Sérodes;
J. B. Sérodes
1Department of Civil Engineering, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Laval University, 1065 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, G1V 0A6, Canada
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C. Berthiaume;
C. Berthiaume
4Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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S. J. Charette;
S. J. Charette
2Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (Hôpital Laval), 2725 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
3Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes, Pavillon Charles-Eugène-Marchand, Laval University, 1030 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
4Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Y. Gilbert;
Y. Gilbert
2Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (Hôpital Laval), 2725 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
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G. Filion;
G. Filion
2Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (Hôpital Laval), 2725 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
4Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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J. Fournier-Larente;
J. Fournier-Larente
2Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (Hôpital Laval), 2725 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
4Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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M. Rodriguez;
5Ecole supérieure d'aménagement du territoire, Laval University, 1628 Pavillon Félix–Antoine-Savard, Québec City, QC, G1K 7P4, Canada
E-mail: [email protected]
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C. Duchaine
C. Duchaine
2Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (Hôpital Laval), 2725 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
4Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Water Supply (2013) 13 (2): 447–461.
Article history
Received:
June 20 2012
Accepted:
October 16 2012
Citation
C. Pluchon, J. B. Sérodes, C. Berthiaume, S. J. Charette, Y. Gilbert, G. Filion, J. Fournier-Larente, M. Rodriguez, C. Duchaine; Haloacetic acid degradation by a biofilm in a simulated drinking water distribution system. Water Supply 1 March 2013; 13 (2): 447–461. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2013.041
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