Identification of Potential Harmful Transformation Products of Selected Micropollutants in Outdoor and Indoor Swimming Pool Water

Abstract

This paper presents the estimation of micropollutant decomposition effectiveness and the identification of transformation intermediates formed during selected processes used in the treatment of swimming pool water. Tests were carried out under both indoor and outdoor conditions to simulate the removal of contaminants in different types of pool water basins. Model swimming pool water spiked with caffeine, carbamazepine, bisphenol A and oxadiazon were subjected to chlorination, ozonation, UV radiation, and artificial and sun lightening, carried out as single or combined processes. It was noted that organic micropollutants decompose faster during exposure to natural sunlight than artificial lighting. Caffeine and carbamazepine belong to compounds that are resistant to single ozone or light decomposition. Bisphenol A was completely removed by the action of the chlorination agent NaOCl. The highest compound removal degrees were noted for the integrated action of natural sunlight, NaOCl and O3. This process allows also for the decomposition of all caffeine and oxadiazon decomposition by-products that potentially are toxic to swimming pool users.