GC-QToF Analysis of Taste and Odor Compounds & Disinfection Byproducts in Water

Oral Presentation

Prepared by S. Young, S. Snyder
University of Arizona, 1657 E Helen Street, BIO5 Institute, Office: 0400A22, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States


Contact Information: SheenaYoung@email.arizona.edu; 443-677-7596


ABSTRACT

The widespread presence of pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs) and estrogenic compounds in water has required the application of advanced treatment technologies for its removal. Chemical disinfectants such as chlorination and chloramination along with advanced oxidation processes like ozone and UV-hydrogen peroxide can effectively attenuate harmful chemicals from water, however it has been shown to produce derivatives and by-products that are sometimes more hazardous than its precursor. Traditional analytical measurement platforms such as gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry (LC-MS) provide separation and structure elucidation of target compounds at trace levels; however they are limited by reduced instrument resolution or challenges in the accurate identification of unknown compounds. Gas chromatography high-resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-QToF) offers a highly sensitive tool with fast acquisition rates and accurate mass measurements for the identification of targeted disinfection byproducts of interest and unknown emerging contaminants. With a regulatory framework fast moving towards toxicological endpoints and mixtures effects, it is essential to identify unknown byproducts. In this study, several water samples were ozonated, chlorinated and chloraminated followed by analysis on the GC-QToF. Unregulated DBPs including iodinated and brominated trihalomethanes (THMs) were identified in several samples. The QTOF results are compared with those from existing methods to demonstrate its feasibility for accurate chemical determination.