The role of phytoplankton as pre-cursors for disinfection by-product formation

Water quality remains one of the greatest concerns with regards to human health. Treating water with disinfectants is critical to eliminate pathogenic micro-organisms. However, disinfecting water sources leads to disinfection by-products, which have been related to birth-defects and cancers.

New research by the Environment Institute's Professor Justin Brookes has identified the role of phytopkankton in the build-up of these disinfection by-products. The paper, entitled "The role of phytoplankton as pre-cursors for disinfection by-product formation upon chlorination" was published in June, 2016, in Water Research.