The significance of algae as trihalomethane precursors

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the relative importance of algae and algal derived organic precursors in the generation of Trihalomethane compounds (THMs). Laboratory tests have been carried out using cultures of two common algal species dominating natural reservoir populations to assess the importance of species, growth phase and biomass versus Extracellular product (ECP) in THM production. The results of the study showed that THMFP of algae cells and ECP increased with culture age. THM formation from cells was more than double that from ECPs for Asterionella formosa and Anabaena flosaquae. It is predicted that typical blooms in a reservoir of either species could produce a substantial fraction of the THM's formed during chlorination.