project

Nitrogen labelling

Among the reasons analytical chemistry is important for the drinking water sector, is the latter’s need for unequivocal identification of nitrogenous by-products and for toxicological risk assessment of the formed products.

The objective of this project is to consolidate and extend analytical chemistry – through publications and new, long-term oriented method development – in the area of nitrogen labelling, as an innovative tool for the tracing of by-products.

De onderzoekers in overleg over de detectie van stikstofhoudende desinfectie-bijproducten met behulp van massaspectrometrie

De onderzoekers in overleg over de detectie van stikstofhoudende desinfectie-bijproducten met behulp van massaspectrometrie

Extending knowledge

KWR will further extend a new analytical chemistry analytical method. The base was established in 2013, and the method involves the stable isotope (N15) labelling of nitrogenous by-products and their tracing with mass spectrometry. The challenge lies in the unequivocal identification of nitrogenous by-products and the toxicological risk assessment of the formed products. This project also provides insight into the possibilities of further extending the method to other water treatment technologies.

New analytical methods and knowledge dissemination

The project aims to expand  our basic scientific knowledge about the analysis and identification of compounds that can be formed in treatment processes. The dissemination of this knowledge therefore is done through scientific publications and congresses. KWR’s reporting will also be directed at water practice, with a focus on the identity and health impact of hitherto unknown disinfection by-products. The research into the tracing of by-products makes a direct connection with the impact of these by-products.