• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.326-332
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• 2013

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are volatile organic compounds responsible for the majority of unpleasant taste and odor events in drinking water. Geosmin and 2-MIB are byproducts of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) with musty and earthy odors. These compounds have odor threshold concentration at ng/L levels. It is needed to develop a sensitive method for determination of geosmin and 2-MIB to control the quality of drinking water. In this study, geosmin and 2-MIB in water samples were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SMPE). The detection limits of this method were 1.072 ng/L and 1.021 ng/L for geosmin and 2-MIB, respectively. Good accuracy and precision was also obtained by this method. Concentrations of the two compounds were measured in raw waters from Nakdong River in the cyanobacterial blooming season. Water bloom formed by cyanobacteria has been occurred currently in Nakdong River. It is needed to investigate the concentrations of geosmin and 2-MIB to control the quality of drinking water from Nakdong River. Both geosmin and 2-MIB were detected in raw waters from Nakdong River at concentrations ranging from 4 to 24 ng/L and 6 to 16 ng/L, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2009

Musty and earth odors caused by geosmin and 2-MIB are the major complaints from the drinking water consumers. Therefore, early detection of geosmin and 2-MIB is the key to prevent off-flavor occurrence. In this study, a rapid method using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in combination with the GC/MS was investigated to analyze geosmin and 2-MIB in water. The SBSE method, a solventless extraction technique, was optimized and then applied to the analysis of geosmin and 2-MIB in water. The SBSE technique was found to be a simple and fast procedure that allows many samples to be extracted simultaneously using very small volume (10~20 mL). In addition, the SBSE method offered high recovery and good linear regression coefficient for the geosmin and 2-MIB. The good repeatability of this method can be deduced from the low RSD (7.2~7.6%) at 10 ng/L for geosmin and 2-MIB. The limit of detection was determined 1~2 ng/L and the limit of quantitation was 3~6 ng/L. Above all, the SBSE method proved to be a very practical technique for the analysis of geosmin and 2-MIB in water.