The Presence of Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids in Tropical Peat Water

Abstract

The presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in tropical peat water affects the appearance of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) in natural water sources. However, information about the presence of THM and HAA in tropical peat water is still limited. This study was conducted to determine the presence of THMs and HAAs in tropical peat water taken from a canal and a river in Riau Peatland, Indonesia, influenced by the seasons and the tides. DOM was measured by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and UV254 absorbance. The presence of THMs and HAAs was determined based on total THM4 and HAA5 and correlated with chloride and bromide concentrations. The concentrations of chloride and bromide in the river water were higher than in the canal water because of tidal influence. Total THM4 in canal water reached 22.70 ± 0.90 and 10.78 ± 0.71 µg/L in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively, but only reached 16.64 ± 1.93 and 5.52 ± 0.05 µg/L in the river water. In contrast to THM4, total HAA5 in the river water was higher than in the canal water and reached 104.01 ± 4.67 and 106.39 ± 9.53 µg/L in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively, but only reached 9.83 ± 0.48 and 56.87 ± 6.11 µg/L in the river water. THM4 predominated in the dry season while HAA5 predominated in the rainy season.

Absorbance spectral slopes for monitoring tropical peat water dissolved organic matter fractions during microbubble pre‐ozonation

“…[ 4 ] In several countries, especially in the rural area of Southeast Asia, the scarcity of clean water sources led the local people to use peat water as daily used water, even as drinking water without any treatment. [ 5 ]…”

“…[4] In several countries, especially in the rural area of Southeast Asia, the scarcity of clean water sources led the local people to use peat water as daily used water, even as drinking water without any treatment. [5] Due to the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) in the form of humic and fulvic acid, peat water is surface water in a peatland area that is brownish in color and has an acidic Ph. [6] For a better understanding of NOM's fate, knowledge of elements such as humic compounds, which are important in geochemical cycles, is essential.…”