Identifying Sources of Trihalomethanes in the LA Basin:

Linking Water Treatment Emissions and Whole Air Sampling

Esther Thomas
University of New Orleans

Trihalomethanes (THMs)
CHCl3, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl, CHBr3

Formed during the waste water disinfection process when chlorine or other disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water. Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, and Bromoform are a few major disinfection byproducts. Elevated concentrations of these THMs were found in the whole air samples collected on the DC-8 flights, and especially from the in situ ground samples.

Water samples collected and tested during each treatment process at the facility near LAX.

Waste Water Disinfection

The purpose of disinfection in the treatment of waste water is to reduce the number of microorganisms in the water to be discharged back into the environment for usage in homes, irrigation, etc.

Chlorination
Low cost Backflow and storage bacteria controlled Trihalomethane byproducts emitted

Ultraviolet light (increasing in popularity)

No harmful byproducts High-speed disinfection (few seconds) High cost Restrictions from turbidity

Ozonation
Fewer THM byproducts, but not as effective in controlling pathogenic backflow. Also creates harmful disinfection byproducts, formaldehyde and bromate.
Many methods of disinfection exist and often multiple methods are used by water treatment facilities.

Whole air sampling was conducted by our air-group aboard the DC-8 aircraft along with ground samples we collected at various water treatment facilities along the flight path. SARP 2011 DC-8 Flight: Missed Approach Flight Track
14000.0000

12000.0000

Pressure Altitude (ft)

10000.0000

8000.0000

6000.0000

4000.0000

2000.0000

0.0000 3:50:24 PM

3:57:36 PM

4:04:48 PM

4:12:00 PM

4:19:12 PM

4:26:24 PM

4:33:36 PM

DC-8 Flight Whole Air Sample Concentrations

3.5000 3.0000 2.5000 2.0000 1.5000 1.0000
0.2000

Bromoform (CHBr3)

0.9000 0.8000 0.7000 0.6000 0.5000 0.4000 0.3000

Dibromochloromethane(CHBr2Cl)

0.5000 0.0000 3:50:24 PM

0.1000

Time
3:57:36 PM 4:04:48 PM 4:12:00 PM 4:19:12 PM 4:26:24 PM 4:33:36 PM

0.0000 3:50:24 PM

Time
3:57:36 PM 4:04:48 PM 4:12:00 PM 4:19:12 PM 4:26:24 PM 4:33:36 PM

0.9000 0.8000 0.7000 0.6000 0.5000 0.4000 0.3000 0.2000

0.1000

Bromodichloromethane (CHBrCl2)

25.0000

Chloroform (CHCl3)

20.0000

15.0000

10.0000

5.0000

0.0000 3:50:24 PM

3:57:36 PM

4:04:48 PM

4:12:00 PM

4:19:12 PM

4:26:24 PM

4:33:36 PM

0.0000 3:50:24 PM

3:57:36 PM

4:04:48 PM

4:12:00 PM

4:19:12 PM

4:26:24 PM

4:33:36 PM

DC-8 Missed Approach Flight Sampling

1120

- Water Treatment Facility

Chloroform Concentration (ppt)

4019 4018 4014 29212906400132123215 3211 2912 2911 3208 2902 2904

2917

2916

2901

6206 1706 1721

1710 1724 1112 1121 417 1709 1105 420 419 415 416 1106 414 402 424 410 103108 413 403 4006 4012 409 4009 422 412 22152216 4023 4021 4005408 2202

Bromoform (CHBr3)

Ground Sampling THM Concentrations

Upwind

Downwind

Bromodichloromethane (CHBrCl2) No statistical significant difference in CHBr3 and CHBr2Cl concentrations between water treatment facilities.

Upwind

Downwind

Dibromochloromethane (CHBrCl2)

Chloroform (CHCl3)

Statistical significance in CHCl3 and CHBrCl2 concentrations among water treatment ground samples.

LA Sanitary District WT Facility

Water Treatment Facility Near LAX

Water Sample Collection Site

1,000

1,100

100 1 2 17 - CH3CH2CH2Br (D) - 6.503 18* - CHCl3 (D) - 6.689 19 - EtONO2 (D) - 6.984 22* - CFC-112 (D) - 7.040 21 - C2HCl3 (D) - 7.297 22 - i-PrONO2 (D) - 7.610 24 - CH2Br2 (D) - 7.824 26* - CH2Br2 (D) - 7.821 27 - CHBrCl2 (D) - 7.900 28* - n-PrONO2 (D) - 8.167 29* - CH2ClI (D) - 8.195 30 - C2Cl4 (D) - 8.539 26 - C2Cl4 (D) - 8.545 27 - 2-BuONO2 (D) - 8.829 33* - CHBr2Cl (D) - 9.219 39* - 3-Methyl-2-BuONO2 (D) - 9.716 42 - 3-PeONO2 (D) - 9.974 30 - 2-PeONO2 (D) - 10.040 29 - 3-PeONO2 (D) - 9.969

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,207 mV

-456.41 6.60 6.80 7.00 7.20 7.40 7.60 7.80 8.00 8.20 8.40 8.60 8.80 9.00 9.20 9.40 9.60 9.80 44* - 10.578 45* - CHBr3 (D) - 10.604 Water sample collected by SARP members and modified in the Rowland-Blake Laboratory min 10.00 10.20 10.40 10.60 10.80 10.9

H2O Degassed Sample from Water Downstream near LA Sanitary Water Treatment Facility

Extremely High levels of various gasses, especially THM concentrations

Effects of Chloroform Exposure (to workers??)

At high concentrations, chloroform depresses the central nervous system and can induce both narcosis and anesthesia (unconsciousness). Exposure to relatively low levels from air or water for long periods of time can cause damage the liver and kidneys. Regulations for both water concentrations and air emissions have been instituted by the EPA.
On-site testing should be conducted frequently to avoid over-exposure and contamination.
Water treatment facility near LAX

Follow-Up Research Topics

Locating sources of enhanced CHCl3 concentrations near airports seen at flight altitude. Testing for atmospheric ozonation byproducts, formaldehyde and bromate, near water treatment facilities.

Conclusions
Information gathered on water treatment facility disinfection methods(types of processes, chemicals, chemical amounts used in treatment, testing frequencies regarding air emisions) could be beneficial in altering design standards and lowering harmful byproduct emissions. Multiple regression analysis and prediction model can be implemented to determine which factors have the greatest affect on byproduct emissions and re-vamp water treatment process methods to ultimately decrease these harmful emissions. Columbia University (2009) study of NOx emissions

Special thanks to
Rick Shetter and NSERC Emily Schaller SARP Mentors Lecturers/Presenters DC-8 Flight Crew Air Group
Eric Kauffman (ArcGIS)

And of course, Dr. Donald Blake.