Studies on Mechanism of Volatile Chlorinated Organic Compound Formation (II)

Effect of Metals on Chloroform Formation by Chlorination of Humic Acid

Abstract

Chloroform formation by chlorination of humic acid in the presence of different metals were investigated.
The following results were obtained.
(1) Fe²⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Cr₂O₇^2-, Ni²⁺, SeO₄^2- and Pb²⁺ had no effect on chloroform formation by chlorination of humic acid.
(2) Mn²⁺, SeO₃^2- and Co²⁺ decreased chloroform formation, because these metals consumed an available chlorine demanded in chloroform formation of humic acid. However, MnO₄^- decreased chloroform formation because permanganate oxidized humic acid.
(3) Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺ accelerated chloroform formation because of catalyst-like function, the efficiency being in the decreasing order Cu²⁺> Al³⁺> Fe³⁺> Zn²⁺.