Disinfection byproducts are formed from a combination of which elements?

Disinfection byproducts are primarily formed through the reaction of free chlorine with organic matter present in water. When chlorine is used as a disinfectant to eliminate pathogens, it can react with naturally occurring organic materials, such as those from vegetation and decaying plant matter. This reaction produces various chemical compounds known as disinfection byproducts, which can include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Understanding this formation process is critical for water treatment professionals, as these byproducts can pose health risks and regulatory standards must be met to ensure safe drinking water.

The other combinations of elements do not lead to the formation of disinfection byproducts in the context of water treatment. Elements like sodium and water or calcium and carbon do not interact in a way that would generate the chemical compounds of concern related to water disinfection. The focus on free chlorine and organics highlights the significant relationship between disinfection methods and the quality of water, which is essential knowledge for professionals in the water distribution field.