Determinación de la presencia de trihalometanos totales (TTHMS) como subproducto de la desinfección en el proceso de potabilización de agua superficial para consumo humano

Abstract

This research examined the effects of pH, residual chlorine and organic matter (dissolved solids) as precursor agents in the development of total thihalomethanes (TTHMS) in treated water for human consumption. The experimental base is founding on the presence of TTHMS at concentrations greater than 80 µg/L from sources supplying Guatemala City and watering water from surface flows. A direct relationship was identified between pH level, residual chlorine, contact time, electrical conductivity and dissolved solids in the formation of TTHMS, increasing production when levels of those previously high. Three different water sources were evaluated in which 7 analyses were performed per sample extracted, of the information produced, the average values in each of the samples were analyzed, presenting concentrations of 124.86 µg/L, 127.14 µg/L, and 11.14 µg/L at sources A, B, and C respectively, which shows that two exceed the border values by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency USEPA (80 g/L). The concentrations of TTHMS obtained suggest that there are concentrations of carcinogenic precursors above the recommended value in water for consumption in the areas studied, therefore there is a possibility that it is negatively impacting human health.