Impact of anionic ion exchange resins on NOM fractions: Effect on N-DBPs and C-DBPs precursors

The formation potential of carbonaceous and nitrogenous disinfection by-products (C-DBPs, N-DBPs) after ion exchange treatment (IEX) of three different water types in multiple consecutive loading cycles was investigated. Liquid chromatography with organic carbon detector (LC-OCD) was employed to gauge the impact of IEX on different natural organic matter (NOM) fractions and data obtained were used to correlate these changes to DBPs Formation Potential (FP) under chlorination. Humic (-like) substances fractions of NOM were mainly targeted by ion exchange resins (40–67% removal), whereas hydrophilic, non-ionic fractions such as neutrals and building blocks were poorly removed during the treatment (12–33% removal). Application of ion exchange resins removed 13–20% of total carbonaceous DBPs FP and 3–50% of total nitrogenous DBPs FP. Effect of the inorganic nitrogen (i.e., Nitrate) presence on N-DBPs FP was insignificant while the presence of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was found to be a key parameter affecting the formation of N-DBPs. DON especially the portion affiliated with humic substances fraction, was reduced effectively (∼77%) as a result of IEX treatment. [Display omitted] •DBPs FP of NOM fractions under ion exchange (IEX) treatment was studied.•Both C-DBPs FP and N-DBPs FP were reduced as a result of IEX treatment.•Hydrophilic, non-ionic fractions are major contributors to DBPs.•The presence of DON was a key parameter affecting the formation of N-DBPs.•Initial regeneration plays an important role in reducing N-DBPs and their precursors.