Development of fluorescence sensors for DBPs control in drinking water

Chlorination of drinking water has been recognized as one of the most effective public health measures ever. However, chlorine reacts with Natural Organic Matter (NOM) present in all surface waters to produce disinfection by-products (DBPs). Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are the most prominent classes of DBPs, but a vast array of yet unidentified compounds contribute to about 60% of the total organic halogen have been found in disinfected water. Due to the complexity and heterogeneity of NOM, several surrogate parameters have been used to quantify NOM reactivity in halogenation reaction and DBPs formation. Differential absorbance and fluorescence were also strongly correlated with DBPs formation. The goal of this study is to explore the performance and applicability of fluorescence based surrogates to control DBPs and DBPs precursors during the water chlorination at varying operating conditions. Obtained results highlight that selected fluorescence signals are powerful parameters for in situ monitoring of the organic precursors of DBPs.