Shrimp farm effluents along the Bangpakong River in the Chachoengsao, Province of Thailand were evaluated for their tribalomethane formation potential (THMFP) and related parameters. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC), salinity and bromide ion concentrations of shrimp farm effluents were in the ranges of 12-14 mg/L, 0.1-14.5 ppt, and 0-14 mg/L, respectively. The dissolved organic matter was fractionated into hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions having a range concentration of 3-5 and 8-10 mg/L, respectively. The THMFP for all shrimp farm effluents analyzed was in the range of 810-3100 mu g/L. The hydrophilic organic fraction was found to be a more active precursor of trihalomethanes (THMs) with 700-966 mu g/L THMFP obtained from this fraction, while only 111-363 mu g/L THMFP was derived from the hydrophobic fraction. The experimental results showed that salinity and bromide played crucial roles in the formation of THMs. At low salinity and bromide levels, chloroform was the dominant THM species, whereas at high salinity and bromide levels, bromoform became the dominant species. A Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum analysis of the samples before and after chlorination illustrated that the functional groups involved in the THM formation reaction were phenolic compounds, arnines, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic bromo-compounds, and aliphatic chloro-compounds. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.