The use of gas chromatography combined with chemical and sensory analysis to evaluate nuisance odours in the air and water environment.

Varieties of gas chromatography (GC) combined with chemical detection (CD) and sensory analysis at the odour detection port (ODP) for the evaluation of environmental odorants has steadily increased in application and sophistication; this has given rise to a plethora of techniques that cater to specific tasks. With this diversity of approaches in mind, there is a need to assess the critical points at which these approaches differ, as well as likely risks and factors that may affect them. These critical points explained within this review include sample preparation, GC separation techniques (with associated co-elution risks), how the elute is separated between CD and sensory analysis, the type of CD, the type of sensory analysis (with particular attention paid to its factors and guidelines), integrative data techniques, as well as how that data may be used.

Applying polarity rapid assessment method and ultrafiltration to characterize NDMA precursors in wastewater effluents.

Certain nitrosamines in water are disinfection byproducts that are probable human carcinogens. Nitrosamines have diverse and complex precursors that include effluent organic matter, some anthropogenic chemicals, and natural (likely non-humic) substances. An easy and selective tool was first developed to characterize nitrosamine precursors in treated wastewaters, including different process effluents.

Comparison of two polarity measurements of hydrophobic organic matter for the evaluation of water treatment processes: XAD resin and PRAM.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a mixture of thousands of organic molecules wide-ranging in molecular weight, polarity and physicochemical properties. DOM is responsible for multiple water treatment issues such as trihalomethane (THM) formation potential and membrane fouling. Two methods of evaluating the polarity of DOM are being used for water treatment application: a serial XAD resin adsorption method at acid pH and the polarity rapid assessment method (PRAM) by parallel solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges at natural pH.

Fishing, fish consumption and advisory awareness among Louisiana's recreational fishers.

This paper presents results from the first known population-based survey of recreational fishers in Louisiana (n=1774). The ultimate goal of this study was to obtain data in support of the development of regional advisories for a high exposure population with unique seafood consumption patterns. Between July and August of 2008, a survey was mailed to a random sample of licensed recreational fishers to characterize local fishing habits, sportfish consumption, and advisory awareness.

An evaluation of mercury levels in Louisiana fish: trends and public health issues.

To characterize statewide fish tissue mercury levels in edible finfish the first comprehensive analysis of Louisiana's fish tissue mercury database was conducted. Analyses were based on fifteen years of fish tissue mercury data collected from 368 waterbodies between 1994 and 2008 (n=14,344). The overall objectives of this study were to establish baseline fish tissue mercury levels; and evaluate species-specific temporal and spatial trends in fish tissue mercury levels.

Nitrogen-phosphorus detection and nitrogen chemiluminescence detection of volatile nitrosamines in water matrices: optimization and performance comparison.

Two nitrogen-specific detection methods, nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD) and nitrogen chemiluminescence detection (NCD), were investigated as low cost alternatives to mass spectrometry (MS) with chemical ionization (CI) for analysis of nitrosamines in aqueous samples. NCD showed greater sensitivity to N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and seven other volatile nitrosamines than did NPD. Instrument detection levels for NDMA were established at 2.

Reactions of thiocarbamate, triazine and urea herbicides, RDX and benzenes on EPA Contaminant Candidate List with ozone and with hydroxyl radicals.

Second-order rate constants of the direct ozone reactions [formula: see text] and the indirect OH radical reactions [formula: see text] for nine chemicals on the US EPA's Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) were studied during the ozonation and ozone/hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation process (O(3)/H(2)O(2) AOP) using batch reactors. Except for the thiocarbamate herbicides (molinate and EPTC), all other CCL chemicals (linuron, diuron, prometon, RDX, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene and nitrobenzene) show low reactivity toward ozone. The general magnitude of ozone reactivity of the CCL chemicals can be explained by their structures and the electrophilic nature of ozone reactions.

Evaluation of the impact of fuel hydrocarbons and oxygenates on groundwater resources.

The environmental behavior of fuel oxygenates (other than methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE]) is poorly understood because few data have been systematically collected and analyzed. This study evaluated the potential for groundwater resource contamination by fuel hydrocarbons (FHCs) and oxygenates (e.g.

Evaluation of granular activated carbon technology for the removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from drinking water.

This study evaluated granular activated carbons (GACs) using rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs) on methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) levels from 20 to 2000 microg/L, with or without the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, benzene, toluene, p-xylene (BTX) in two groundwater (South Lake Tahoe Utility District [Lake Tahoe, CA] and Arcadia Well Field [Santa Monica, CA]) and a surface water source (Lake Perris, CA). Direct comparison between two GACs was made for RSSCTs conducted with surface water from Lake Perris. The impact of natural organic matter on GAC performance was investigated and found to correspond with total organic carbon concentration in the three source waters.