Molecular characterization of nontarget brominated disinfection byproducts formed during the ozonation in the presence of bromide and ammonium and their potential toxicity implications

[Display omitted] •Identification of 109 Br-DBPs during Br− and NH4+-containing SRNOM ozonation.•Predominance of CHOBr1-2 and CHONBr1-2 compositions, 16% identified as aromatics.•NH4+ suppressed CHOBr1-2 Br-DBP formation, but promoted CHONBr1-2 formation.•NH4+ inhibited 13 brominated carboxylic acids formation among numerous homologs.•Generation of bromonitrophenol and bromobenzonitrile with higher toxicity. While there is extensive literature covering byproducts formed during various water treatment processes, there is limited research focusing on the generation of brominated disinfection byproducts (Br-DBPs) specifically during ozonation in the presence of bromide (Br−) and ammonium (NH4+). This study used Orbitrap mass spectrometry and a custom halogen extraction code to selectively pinpoint 109 Br-DBPs generated during the ozonation of Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) containing Br− and NH4+. The Br-DBPs are predominantly distributed ranging from m/z 190 to 320, with elemental compositions consisting of CHOBr and CHONBr. They mainly fell within the H/C (0.5–1.5) and O/C (0.2–1.0) zones, with 16 % being aromatic compounds. NH4+ suppressed Br-DBP formation in CHOBr1-2 subgroups but promoted it in CHONBr1-2 subgroups compared to Br−-containing SRNOM ozonation. Kendrick mass defect diagram revealed 64 identical Br-DBP formulas in the CHOBr1-2 subgroups in both systems, and among them, 13 brominated carboxylic acids were identified, whose formation was suppressed by the addition of NH4+. Moreover, bromonitrophenol and bromobenzonitrile were identified in CHONBr1-2 subgroups, and their formation pathways were proposed. Nitrogen-containing Br-DBPs, especially the aromatic nitrogen-containing ones, exhibited higher toxicity. Caution is necessary to minimize toxic Br-DBPs formation during Br− and NH4+-involved ozonation. This study offers insights into Br-DBP characterization, formation mechanisms and toxicity, guiding enhanced water treatment strategies.