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Detection of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol by liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatograph mass spectrum (LLE-GCMS) and solid phase extraction-gas chromatograph mass spectrum (SPE-GCMS)

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Abstract

Two sample preparation methods were introduced and compared in this paper to establish a simple, quick and exact analysis of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol. LC-18 column was employed in solid phase extraction (SPE), 1.0 mL of hexane was adopted in liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatograph mass spectrum (GCMS) in selected ion mode. Mean recoveries of SPE were low for 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin (GSM) with values below 50%. For LLE, the recoveries were satisfyingly above 50% for 2-MIB and 80% for GSM. Detection limits of the LLE method were as low as 1.0 ng/L for GSM and 5.0 ng/L for 2-MIB. A year-long investigation on odor chemicals of drinking water in Shanghai demonstrated that in the summer, there was a serious odor problem induced by a high concentration of 2-MIB. The highest concentration of 152.82 ng/L appeared in July in raw water, while GSM flocculation was minimal with concentrations below odor threshold.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Ma Xiaoyan, Gao Naiyun, Chen Beibei, Li Qingsong & Zhang Qiaoli

  2. Shanghai Waterworks Shibei Co. Ltd., Shanghai, 200086, China

    Gu Guofen

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  1. Ma Xiaoyan
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  2. Gao Naiyun
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  3. Chen Beibei
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  4. Li Qingsong
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  5. Zhang Qiaoli
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  6. Gu Guofen
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Correspondence to Gao Naiyun.

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Ma, X., Gao, N., Chen, B. et al. Detection of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol by liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatograph mass spectrum (LLE-GCMS) and solid phase extraction-gas chromatograph mass spectrum (SPE-GCMS). Front.Environ.Sci.Eng.China 1, 286–291 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-007-0048-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-007-0048-7

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