Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning C

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combined chlorine

All the products from reactions between free chlorine and other compounds, especially ammonia and nitrogen-containing organic substances. Reactions with ammonia produce chloramines (monochloramine, dichloramine, and trichloramine, also known as nitrogen trichloride). Because of their lesser oxidative power, chloramines are less effective disinfectants than free chlorine, but persist in water longer. Reactions between free chlorine and organic compounds can produce toxic disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs).