Papers Published

1. Sharpless, Charles M. and Page, Margaret A. and Linden, Karl G., Impact of hydrogen peroxide on nitrite formation during UV disinfection, Water Research, vol. 37 no. 19 (2003), pp. 4730 - 4736 [S0043-1354(03)00442-1] .
   (last updated on 2007/04/09)

   Abstract:
   One concern with UV disinfection of water is the production of nitrite when polychromatic UV sources are utilized. Based on previous work, it was hypothesized that a small addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O ₂) may be useful in controlling nitrite during UV disinfection. However, it was found that H₂O₂ addition (5 or 10mg/L) during polychromatic UV irradiation of drinking water at doses used for disinfection significantly increases the levels of nitrite produced relative to solutions without H₂O₂. Enhancement rates ranged from approximately 15% to 40% depending upon pH and H₂O₂ concentration; the relative increase in the NO₂^- yield was greater at pH 6.5 than at pH 8.3. The observed effects are tentatively ascribed to a combination of enhanced superoxide production and increased hydroxyl radical scavenging when H₂O₂ is added. These results indicate that H₂O₂ cannot be used to control nitrite production during UV disinfection and that enhanced nitrite formation will occur if H₂O₂ is added during UV water treatment to achieve advanced oxidation of contaminants. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

   Keywords:
   Potable water;Hydrogen peroxide;Nitrogen compounds;Disinfection;Ultraviolet radiation;Oxidation;Contamination;