Effect of Ammonia and pH Combinations on the Formation of Ozonation and Chlorination By-Products in Bromide-Containing Water

Ammonia addition and pH depression can inhibit the formation of bromate in ozonated drinking water by reacting with free bromine (HOBr/OBr
^-
), an intermediate in bromate formation, to form bromamines and other bromoorganic disinfection byproducts. This study was performed to assess the effects of ammonia and pH value combinations on the formation of bromate and THMs during ozonation and chlorination in semi-batch reactor. The results show that the effects of bromate and THMs formation were more strongly influenced by ammonia concentration than pH value. The addition of ammonia dramatically decreased the formation of brominated THMs.