Selection and applicability of quenching agents for the analysis of polar iodinated disinfection byproducts

Iodide is widely present in drinking water sources as well as wastewater effluents. Chlorination and chloramination are the most commonly used disinfection methods. During chlorination or chloramination of drinking water/wastewater effluents, iodide may be oxidized to hypoiodous acid, which may further react with organic matter to form iodinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Recently, several new polar iodinated DBPs have been identified in drinking water as well as chlorinated wastewater effluents, and they have drawn increasing concerns due to their high toxicity. In DBPs studies, the selection of an appropriate quenching agent is critical to prevent further formation or any decomposition of DBPs during the holding time between sample collection and analysis. A previous study reported the applicability of different quenching agents for the analysis of various categories of chlorinated and brominated DBPs. But the applicability of quenching agents for the analysis of polar iodinated DBPs has not been reported. In this study, four different quenching agents (sodium sulfite, sodium thiosulfate, ascorbic acid and sodium borohydride) were tested for their suitability for the analysis of polar iodinated DBPs, and ascorbic acid was selected as the suitable quenching agent. Furthermore, it was found that ascorbic acid was applicable for the analysis of polar iodinated DBPs under the quenching agent doses of 0-0.42 mmol/L (stoichiometric amounts equivalent to 0-30 mg/L Cl2), contact times within 24 h, and pHs in the range of 6-8. Therefore, ascorbic acid was a widely applicable quenching agent for the analysis of polar iodinated DBPs under various conditions.