The Spatial Distribution of Nitrite Concentrations in a Large Drinking Water Distribution System in Finland

Nitrite in drinking water is a potential health hazard and monitoring its concentrations in distributed water is of paramount importance. When monochloramine is used in secondary disinfection in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), nitrite is often formed by nitrification in the biofilm on the inner surface of distribution pipes. This article attempts to identify areas with a risk of increased nitrite concentrations as well as the main reasons leading to nitrite occurrence in a large urban DWDS in Finland using spatial inspection of obligatory monitoring data. Nitrification was found to occur throughout the study area, though nitrite was not increased everywhere. Instead, nitrite was increased close to the water treatment plants (WTPs) and was connected to fresh drinking water than stagnant drinking water. Temperature effects on nitrite concentrations were surprisingly insignificant, even though it is well known that nitrification reactions are affected by temperature. The temperature dependence of ammonium and total residual chlorine was more significant than the dependence of nitrite. The findings of this study emphasize the need to monitor nitrite concentrations close to WTPs.

反硝化菌在地下水中除硝酸盐的应用进展

地下水是我国主要饮用水源之一,由于化肥使用量增加,我国地下水存在农业氮的面源污染、地下水硝酸盐超标的问题。地下水中硝酸盐过高,可对人体造成伤害,有效去除地下水中硝酸盐对保障居民供水安全至关重要。该文从反硝化细菌、反硝化作用机理及去除地下水中硝酸盐的生物脱氮技术等方面,系统阐述了反硝化菌在地下水中去除硝酸盐的应用进展,并对目前的问题及解决方法进行了展望。