Nitrite Formation During Low Pressure Ultraviolet Lamp Irradiation of Nitrate
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2009
Abstract
During ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection, nitrate (NO3 -) present in raw water may transform to nitrite (NO2 -) that can cause serious human diseases. In this study, the formation of NO2 - from NO3 - was studied at different experimental conditions under the irradiation of a low-pressure ultraviolet (LPUV) lamp at 253.9 nm. The investigated experimental variables included initial NO3 - concentration, solution pH (6.2-9.5), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dose (0-25 mg L-1). Moreover, the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) was determined. Results showed that the formation of NO2 - was enhanced at a high initial NO3 - concentration and a high pH, but was inhibited, to some different degrees, by introduction of H 2O2 or photocatalyst TiO2. The effect of pH on NO2 - formation was probably due to the impact of hydrogen ion on the stability of several intermediates such as peroxynitrite (ONOO -), N2O3, and N2O4. And the inhibiting effects of H2O2 and TiO2 were attributable to production of additional hydroxyl radical (·OH) that scavenged NO2 -. At pH 9.5 and an initial NO 3 - concentration of 10 mgL-1 NO 3 --N, the concentration of NO2 - produced was above 0.1 mgL-1 NO2 --N, the Germany drinking water standard. When 25 mgL-1 H2O 2 was added, the NO2 - level was decreased below the standard.
DOI
10.2166/wst.2009.475
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Lu, Ning; Gao, Nai Yun; Deng, Yang; and Li, Qing Song, "Nitrite Formation During Low Pressure Ultraviolet Lamp Irradiation of Nitrate" (2009). Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 446.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/earth-environ-studies-facpubs/446