Classification of algogenic organic matter concerning its contribution to the bacterial regrowth potential and by-products formation

The bacterial regrowth potential (BRP) and the by-products formation potential after the disinfection (DBP) are parameters recognized to be influenced by the origin of organic matter dissolved in water. A significant difference of the impact of humic compounds and algogenic organic matter (AOM), characteristic for raw waters from reservoirs, to both parameters can be assumed. In systematic laboratory experiments the influence of AOM on the BRP as well as DBP was examined. Different fractions of the AOM were chlorinated and treated with chlorine dioxide. In addition to that the influence of the ozonation was investigated. To assess the biodegradable fraction of the organic matter (BDOC) a large spectrum of byproducts (aldehydes and keto-acids) was analyzed. The BRP in the water was determined by the measurement of the increase of biomass in the water samples. It could be proved, that the chlorination of intact algae cells containing waters may cause a significant increase of the biodegradability in the water if the residual chlorine is totally required. In the case of the disinfection of the AOM containing waters with chlorine dioxide the relative increase of the BRP was lower in comparison to the chlorinated waters. The preozonation of the algae containing waters indicates an additional increase of the BRP, but only by ozonation of the algae cells. The ozonation of the algae metabolites does not influence the BRP, but it causes a significant decrease of the THM-formation if chlorine is used for disinfection. (C) 1998 IAWQ. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.