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With their increasing use, nanoparticles will become concentrated in urban effluents in the future. Both adequate monitoring methods and water treatment technologies will be necessary to assess and avoid consumer exposure. This paper reports results in these two challenging areas for both organic and inorganic nanoparticles. Treatment experiments indicate that lamellar settling is better adapted than dissolved air flotation for SiO(2) nanoparticles removal. The use of 120 mg/L of Aqualenc coagulant without flocculant addition allows 99% removal to be achieved for an initial concentration of 1 g/L. On the other hand, the dissolved air flotation process implemented under the usual industrial conditions does not permit removal of SiO(2) nanoparticles. In this case SiO(2) removal occurs only by settling in the flocculator tank. Application of a high resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technique to a small selection of treated urban effluents indicates that C(60) fullerenes are not yet widely distributed in effluents; however non-point sources cannot be entirely ruled out.

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A systematic study of parameters affecting the nucleophilic addition of secondary and tertiary amines on reactive epoxy groups was conducted on porous polymer monoliths. Reaction of small amines like diethylamine (DEA) or triethylamine (TEA) on poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monoliths (poly(GMA-co-EDMA)) allows to prepare anion exchange media. This study aimed to determine optimal and suitable conditions to prepare anion-exchange porous monolith inside 100 microm internal diameter capillary. The reaction kinetic of amine nucleophilic addition on porous poly(GMA-co-EDMA) monoliths was followed by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The reactivity of such epoxy-functionalized porous polymers was first determined through a study in pure amine solutions. Thereafter, conditions of reactions (i.e., temperature and time of reaction, solvent composition, concentration of amine) with respect to its further implementation at nanoscale, were optimized through a factorial analysis. The optimization allowed extending conversion yields of epoxy groups up to more than 90% in dilute amine solution within less than 4 hours of reaction for TEA addition. This ion-exchange support with respect to the in-situ light-addressable process of elaboration is specifically designed to be incorporated as biomolecular sample preparation module in microsystem devices. The high loading capacity obtained for the preconcentration of DNA demonstrate the attractivity of this functionalized polymeric porous monolith as solid-phase support to improve the quantity and the efficiency of DNA extraction applied into microscale format like capillaries or lab-on-chip.

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Compost plants produce odorous compounds that can cause an "odor nuisance" to neighbors. Methods to evaluate odors exist, but they are not relevant for determining olfactory nuisance. The objectives of this study were to characterize by sensory means the odor nuisance (character and intensity) from composting plants that treat raw biosolids from wastewater plants. Research determined odor character and intensity by the "odor profile method" from raw biosolids, off-gases from the final compost product, and air samples from compost processing. Odor nuisance categories were defined on a "compost odor wheel". Eleven odor categories were determined from a total of 45 observed primary and secondary odor notes: (1) fishy/ammonia; (2) fragrant/fruity; (3) terpene/pine/lemon; (4) solventy/hydrocarbon; (5) grassy/woody/smoky; (6) earthy/musty/moldy; (7) rancid; (8) putrid/dead animal; (9) sweet; (10) sulfur/cabbage/garlic; and (11) fecal/sewery. The odor profile method and the compost odor wheel are suggested as a way to define odor nuisance from a compost plant.

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Commercial products used as masking or neutralizing agents against odour emissions from solid waste activities were investigated both at pilot scale and at three full scale sites. Twenty-six products were first characterized and classified as potential masking or neutralizing agents. Four of the products tested at pilot scale revealed a masking efficiency and a significant decrease of the discomfort index. No evidence of neutralization effect was observed during the field tests.

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The fate of various alkylphenolic compounds during wastewater treatment was studied at full scale in thirteen plants, selected in order to cover a wide range of treatment processes, sizes and countries. In-depth investigations consisted in the analysis of nonylphenols, short chained (n = 1, 2) but also long chained polyethoxylates in raw wastewaters, effluents, raw and treated sludges. The degradation of long chained polyethoxylates (APnEO) was shown, resulting in significant production of alkylphenols that concentrate in the sludges. Results show however that the pending Directive on spreading of sludge on land would be complied with in all cases. For the effluent, the EQS established within the WFD might not be satisfied in very critical situations where the dilution factor of the effluent in the river would be too small.

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The formation of bromophenols during chlorination of phenol- and bromide-containing waters can be critical for taste and odour problems in drinking waters. The work performed has confirmed that flavour threshold concentrations of some bromophenols are in the ng/L range. In addition, under typical drinking water conditions, kinetic experiments and model simulations performed have shown that (1) bromination is the predominant reaction pathway, (2) bromophenol reaction kinetics are rapid leading to taste-and-odour episodes that last for short periods of 10-20 min, (3) increasing phenol concentration and pH tends to increase taste and odour intensity, (4) increasing chlorine or bromide concentrations tends to shorten the duration of the taste-and-odour episode.

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This paper details the analytical strategy that was used to understand the origin of an acute taste and odour episode that induced the temporary shutdown of a plant serving several million customers in South America. The odour of the drinking water was described by local people as "olive odour". The odour of a first sample was described as green apple, fruity and olive oil by CIRSEE panellists. LLE and CLSA-GC/MS showed that the sample contained high levels of 2,4-ditertbutylphenol. When submitted to olfactory-GC/MS, the LLE extract revealed the presence of an intense sweet-fruity odour that did not match any of the MS peaks. Investigation of a second, more concentrated sample collected during the peak of the episode finally revealed that this main odour was due to 2-ethyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane (2EDD). The cis and trans isomers of 2-ethyl-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (2EMD) were also identified, together with a variety of plastic additives or oligomers. These compounds had been spilled by a polyester resin manufacturing plant. The characteristics of these episodes are compared with the rare similar episodes previously reported in the literature.

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Odours from waste management facilities, wastewater treatment plants and composting areas have become a major nuisance issue for operators. In addition to facing regulations which tend to become more stringent, operators are also facing increased public pressure due to complaints from neighbours resulting in the temporary shutdown of such plants, therefore the elimination of atmospheric odours is becoming a major industrial objective. Many commercial odour control products are available on the market, however, very little is known concerning their real efficiency and mechanism of action. This paper will present the results from the study of 19 agents collected in various countries. The products were first characterised both in terms of their chemical composition and sensory properties. Selected products with different modes of application were then submitted to a study of their efficiency at the pilot-scale level. The results from one product test showed no significant difference in their odour removal efficiency as determined by olfactory and chemical analysis of the emission before and after application of the odour control product.

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This paper illustrates the challenge faced by analytical chemists when trying to measure selected compounds representative of various classes of prescription and hospital drugs. Because hundreds of drugs belonging to a wide variety of chemical groups are allowed for use, an array of analytical methods has to be implemented. As an example, as part of the European Poseidon Project, five different methods were required to measure eight drugs and personal care products. These methods are discussed in detail. Examples of application to surface and ground waters from the Paris area are also reported. The antibiotics roxithromycin and sulfamethoxazole were detected for the first time in the Seine River downstream of Paris. The behaviour of the eight target compounds during aquifer recharge and drinking water treatment is described. An incident involving the detection of micrograms per litre levels of the personal care product Galaxolide in a drinking water distribution system is reported. The value of the pharmaceuticals and personal care products selected as potential indicators is also discussed.

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The occurrence of tastes and odors (T&O) in drinking water is considered as one of the main problems by the drinking water companies. Thus, several treatment processes were developed over the years to control T&O including air stripping, activated carbon and oxidation using ozone. However, little information is available in the literature on the use of membranes for T&O removal. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to present potential of membrane processes for removal of taste and odor causing compounds. Several membranes were tested including ultrafiltration (UF), UF combined with powdered activated carbon (PAC), nanofiltration (NF) and low pressure reverse osmosis (LP RO) membranes. The results of this study indicate that the combination of UF with PAC is effective for T&O control whereas the benefit of NF and LP RO remains unclear for T&O control.

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Each odorant possesses a unique odor signature (i.e. odor character or quality, odor threshold and chemical concentration). This paper develops an initial understanding of how the volatile odorous chemicals and their relative concentrations produced are related to the total odor quality from the process by their odor threshold concentrations and odor signatures.

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This paper describes the implementation of a GC-Sniff/MS system that allows the simultaneous determination of the odorous properties of compounds eluting from a GC column and their identification by MS. The technique was first tested with standard compounds then applied to real cases of taste and odour episodes. This approach allowed the identification of geosmin at low levels and suggested the possible implication of methylnaphthalene in the development of chemical odours. It provided the first clue of the presence of a halophenol with a very low odour threshold involved in a chlorophenolic odour episode. The chemical was finally identified as 2,6-dibromophenol. The method was also applied to the characterization of a complex mixture of additives leaching from a flexible rubber pipe. In the latter case, Time-of-Flight MS was also used to confirm the identity of the additives.

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Overall, in the air pollution control field, odor concentration and intensity as well as hedonic rating have been well studied to the point where some level of standardization is being developed or is already in place. However, there has been no standardization with respect to odor quality characterization. There is now sufficient understanding of the types of odorous compounds that can arise from wastewater treatment processes to develop an odor classification scheme. This article presents the first wastewater odor wheel or classification scheme that should form the foundation for the evolution of odor quality data reporting with links to chemical causes.

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In response to reports of medicinal taste and odor problems in suburban Paris, a lab scale study was conducted to investigate the contribution of different water quality parameters--pH, phenol, bromide, chlorine, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels--on bromophenol medicinal odor formation using the Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA) method. A study of six parameters at 2 levels (64 experiments) analyzed by the FPA method suggests that chlorine at high concentration is more important as a controlling agent than phenol under similar conditions and the ratio of HOBr:Phenol and the time for reaction will control subsequent brominated products of reaction. Results from a three-level statistical model indicate that high pH was associated with lower odor intensities, whereas high levels of chlorine, phenol and temperature were associated with high odor intensities. Potential worst case scenarios of water quality conditions were determined for evaluation by chemical identification and kinetics.

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This paper summarises the positive and negative effects of the most commonly used oxidants and disinfectants: chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide, potassium permanganate ozone, and advanced oxidation with ozone/hydrogen peroxide on tastes and odours present in natural and drinking waters. The case studies reported illustrate the generation of odorous by-products such as chlorophenols, iodoforms, aldehydes, the masking effect between earthy-musty and chlorinous odours, and the removal of odorous algal metabolites or anthropogenic pollutants by ozone alone or by ozone coupled with hydrogen peroxide.

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Chlorinous flavors at the tap are the leading cause of customers' complaints and dissatisfaction with drinking water. To characterize consumer perception and acceptance to chlorinous tastes, extensive taste testing was performed with both trained panelists and average consumers. Taste testing with trained panelists showed that chlorine perception is underestimated by disinfectant flavor thresholds reported in the literature. However, trained panelists significantly overestimate the average consumer's ability to perceive chlorine. In addition, consumer perception seems to be influenced by the chlorination practices of the country they live in. Among water quality characteristics that may influence chlorine perception, temperature was not found to induce any significant change. The influence of total dissolved solids (TDS) on chlorine perception remains unclear and, as reported elsewhere, background tastes such as musty, may significantly impact chlorine threshold.

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This paper describes the implementation of a broad-spectrum analytical scheme which was used at three wastewater plants for the screening of organic micropollutants. The more than 200 compounds identified comprised a variety of endocrine disrupters, pharmaceutical compounds and personal care products. Glycol ethers which have well established effects on the development of the embryo were outstanding in all plants investigated. The first plant, which was investigated at various stages of treatment, was quite efficient at removing undesirable compounds. The second plant, which received 50% of effluents from pharmaceutical industries, released low but significant levels of drugs. An antibiotic, cyclamidomycine, was identified in the effluent from the third plant.

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As part of a project funded by the European Commission (EC) for the development and evaluation of multiresidue methods for analysis of drinking and related waters, 15 European laboratories evaluated a method using styrene-divinylbenzene co-polymer solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main aim of the study was to evaluate whether the method meets the requirements of EC Directive 98/83 in terms of accuracy, precision, and detection limit for 22 pesticides according to the following requirements: limit of detection, < or = 0.025 microg/L; accuracy, expressed as recovery between 75 and 125%; and precision, expressed as repeatability relative standard deviation of the method of < 12.5% and as reproducibility relative standard deviation of the method of < 25%. Analyses for unknown concentrations were performed with fortified commercial bottled and tap waters. All laboratories were able to achieve detection limits of 0.01 microg/L for all pesticides except dimethoate and desisopropylatrazine (0.02 microg/L). The criteria for repeatability were met for all compounds except trifluralin, dimethoate, and lindane in bottled water and chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and lindane in tap water. The criteria for reproducibility were met for all compounds except trifluralin, dimethoate, and lindane in bottled water and pendimethalin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, terbutryn, and lindane in tap water. In terms of accuracy, the method meets the requirements for all pesticides in both matrixes, except for lindane in bottled water and lindane and chlorpyrifos in tap water.

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Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the composition and fate of wastewater organic matter (OM) in treatment plants. Monitoring the chemical changes in OM during activated sludge treatment can improve our knowledge of the processes involved in the biological elimination of OM. Direct chemical analyses of treated water OM typically account for about 20% of the OM, and structural information was obtained in this study using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques. Distinct changes in the OM during wastewater biological treatment were underlined. 13C and 1H NMR showed that aromatic carbons were minor constituents of the samples. Alkyl chains exhibited a more highly branched character in treated water, as compared to long chain aliphatic carbons present in wastewater. Carboxyl signals in the 13C NMR spectrum of wastewater could be due to peptide bonds in proteins, whereas in the treated water spectrum, this signal could be related to the presence of non-proteinaceous nitrogen. Besides the non-degraded compounds, treated water OM could contain recondensation products of simple molecules. Their refractory character probably derives from their complex structures rather than from particular chemical functions, as suggested by the lack of fundamental differences in the chemical structures of wastewater and treated water OM.

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"Earthy-musty" off-flavor problems in water samples are due to organic compounds present at the sub-part-per-trillion level. Numerous analytical methods such as purge and trap, liquid/liquid extraction, and closed-loop stripping analysis (CLSA) followed by GC/MS analysis have been used to determine these compounds. However, these methods offer poor sensitivity (detection limits of approximately 1 to 10 ng/L) when compared to the 20-30 pg/L of sensorial sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to develop a new method involving a modified CLSA preconcentration technique together with large volume injection GC/MS in order to attain analytical sensitivity equal to or better than olfactory sensitivity. For eight target compounds that cause taste and odor problems in water at trace levels, the method developed was linear in the 0.05-10 ng/L range and provided recoveries greater than 70% together with satisfactory repeatability. Detection limits as low as 15-30 pg/L were achieved, representing a 50-fold improvement in sensitivity as compared to current methods. The accuracy and sensitivity of the method were demonstrated in different aqueous matrixes, including raw surface water. The method was successfully applied to earthy-musty water samples that had remained unsolved by conventional techniques, thus proving its effectiveness.