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Using chlorite ion to control nitrification
Author(s) -
McGuire Michael J.,
Lieu Nancy I.,
Pearthree Marie S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1999.tb08715.x
Subject(s) - nitrification , chloramine , disinfectant , chemistry , ammonia , environmental chemistry , chlorite , oxidizing agent , environmental engineering , environmental science , nitrogen , chlorine , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , paleontology , quartz
Laboratory and field studies of five Texas distribution systems suggest that chlorite ion has significant potential for controlling nitrification in chloraminated water. Controlling nitrification is essential if chloramines are to be a viable alternative disinfectant scheme for distribution systems in all types of environments. This article reviews problems associated with nitrification and presents laboratory and field evidence for using the chlorite ion (ClO 2 – ) to control nitrification in distribution systems. Laboratory experiments in this study showed that even low dosages of ClO 2 – (0.05 mg/L) can inactivate 3–4 logs of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) over several hours. Higher concentrations of ClO 2 – inactivate all of the AOB in as little as 30 minutes. Field investigations at five Texas water utilities showed that the presence of ClO 2 – in the distribution systems resulted in less loss of chloramines and ammonia–nitrogen and thus less nitrification than in those systems in which ClO 2 – was not present. The ease of use of ClO 2 – is compared with other, more traditional nitrification control measures.