Trihalomethane formation potential: a tool for detecting non-specific organic groundwater contamination

The trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) was measured in groundwaters affected by infiltration of wastewater or landfill leachate from Mexico, Jordan and Thailand. THMFP was directly related to the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), except where leachate was produced from burnt waste or where bromide concentrations were unusually high indicating the proportion of brominated derivatives was dependent on the concentration of bromide. It is proposed that the THMFP provides a sensitive measure of low levels of organic contamination and can be used as a surrogate for DOC concentration where there are difficulties in measuring this parameter. A risk assessment model has been used and demonstrates indirect health effects due to the chlorination of leachate contaminated groundwater.