Identification of the key biochemical component contributing to disinfection byproducts in chlorinating algogenic organic matter

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) remains an ongoing issue because of their widespread occurrence and toxicity. Various organic substances in Algogenic organic matter (AOM) can produce DBPs in the chlorination process. To provide specific suggestions for the targeted removal of DBP precursors in AOM, the main biochemical components in AOM were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. An accurate model for predicting the DBP formation potentials (DBPFPs) of AOM was herein developed based on the dissolved organic carbon of the five main biochemical components in AOM and the DBPFPs of their corresponding surrogates. The contributions of each biochemical component to the three DBP species were evaluated, and the key components were identified. The results showed that lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, humic acid-like substances, and fulvic acid-like substances were the main biochemical components in AOM. Thereof, proteins (71.2 ± 2.1%) and carbohydrates (53.1 ± 2.1%) were the major contributor to the carbon content in intracellular organic matter and extracellular organic matter, respectively. The contribution results of biochemical components to the formation of DBPs showed that proteins were the key contributor to DBPs, suggesting that the targeted removal of proteins before the chlorination process would effectively reduce DBPs from AOM. [Display omitted] •Carbon contents of biochemical components in AOM were first determined.•Main biochemical components in AOM were qualitatively determined.•Proteins and carbohydrates were the major biochemical components in AOM.•Proteins in AOM were the key contributor to DBPs during chlorination of AOM.