AWWA WQTC52854

Taste and odor in drinking water are often due to the presence of trace organiccompounds. Two of the most problematic of these compounds are the tertiary alcohols MIB(2-methylisoborneol) and geosmin (trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol). These compounds are produced as secondary metabolites by species of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and actinomycetes and impart an earthy/musty odor. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) character on the ozonation of MIB and geosmin. In addition, the effect of a radical scavenger on the ozonation of MIB and geosmin (in the presence of different NOM fractions) was also studied to confirm the theory that the oxidation of MIB and geosmin is primarily through the hydroxy (OH) radical. Includes 26 references, tables, figures.