-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Echo Park Lake is a small lake in Los Angeles, CA listed on the USA Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired water bodies for elevated levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish tissue. A lake water and sediment sampling program was completed to support the development of total maximum daily loads (TMDL) to address the lake impairment. The field data indicated quantifiable levels of OCPs and PCBs in the sediments, but lake water data were all below detection levels. The field sediment data obtained may explain the contaminant levels in fish tissue using appropriate sediment-water partitioning coefficients and bioaccumulation factors. A partition-equilibrium fugacity model of the whole lake system was used to interpret the field data and indicated that half of the total mass of the pollutants in the system are in the sediments and the other half is in soil; therefore, soil erosion could be a significant pollutant transport mode into the lake. Modeling also indicated that developing and quantifying the TMDL depends significantly on the analytical detection level for the pollutants in field samples and on the choice of octanol-water partitioning coefficient and bioaccumulation factors for the model.
Science of The Total Environment 09/2011; 409(19):4010-5. · 3.29 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: 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.
Water Environment Research 08/2009; 81(7):670-9. · 0.88 Impact Factor
-
I H Suffet
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a gasoline additive that has been found in groundwater when an underground gasoline storage tank leaks. Although dependent on the clean-up standards that are applied, clean-up costs have been estimated in the US alone to be in the billions of dollars. MTBE is considered primarily a taste and odour concern and not a toxicity issue at concentrations found in drinking water. Thus, the clean-up of MTBE problems is controlled by the MTBE odour threshold concentration (OTC). The level of clean-up and associated differential of millions of dollars is a matter of concern for water purveyors and well owners. A 1993 study of nine OTC studies showed the OTC of MTBE in water to be between 0.04 and 0.06 microg/L, a level over two orders of magnitude less than eight other studies. This 1993 study was repeated at the original laboratory in 2004 and is reported in this paper. The laboratory's quality control programme and ability to repeat one of the eight other studies indicated the laboratory was qualified to repeat its original OTC study. The flavour and odour detection threshold range in the 1993 study, however, could not be confirmed by trained assessors repeating the original study in 2004. The inconsistencies in the data and the high detection on water blanks indicate that the dilution series of the test solutions for the 1993 study were mainly at subthreshold levels. Therefore, the original study of 1993 is not a valid OTC study for MTBE and should not be used to develop drinking water and clean-up standards. The OTC of MTBE is over 15 microg/L for the eight valid studies.
Water Science & Technology 02/2007; 55(5):265-73. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: In the drinking water and air pollution fields, odour quality characterisation and intensity of each odour characteristic needs to be developed to evaluate the causes of the odours present. Drinking water quality characterisation has matured to the point where an "odour wheel" is described and the primary chemicals producing the odour are known and therefore a potential treatment can be defined from the odours reported. Sufficient understanding of the types of odorous compounds that can arise from wastewater and compost treatment processes and odours in the urban environment are starting to emerge. This article presents the anatomy of the odour wheels. It is hoped that the foundation of odour wheels will evolve as odour quality data are reported and linked with chemical causation. The compost and urban odour wheels are presented in print for the first time.
Water Science & Technology 02/2007; 55(5):335-44. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The Sweetwater Authority's urban runoff diversion system (URDS) comprises constructed wetlands on a hillside between the town of Spring Valley and the Sweetwater Reservoir, California, USA. The URDS were designed to divert dry-weather and first-flush urban runoff flows from the Sweetwater reservoir. However, these constructed wetlands have developed into ecologically valuable habitat. This paper evaluates the following ecological questions related to the URDS: (1) the natural development of the species present and their growth pattern; (2) the biodiversity and pollutant stress on the plants and invertebrates; and (3) the question of habitat provided for endangered species. The URDS wetlands are comprised primarily of rush (Scirpus spp.) and cattails (Typha spp.). This vegetative cover ranged from 39-78% of the area of the individual wetland ponds. Current analyses of plant tissues and wetland sediment indicates the importance of sediment sorption for metals and plant uptake of nutrients. Analyses of URDS water following runoff events show the URDS wetlands do reduce the amount of nutrients and metals in the water column. Invertebrate surveys of the wetland ponds revealed lower habitat quality and environmental stress compared to unpolluted natural habitat. The value of the wetlands as wildlife habitat is constrained by low plant biodiversity and pollution stress from the runoff. Since the primary Sweetwater Authority goal is to maintain good water quality for drinking, any secondary utilization of URDS habitat by species (endangered or otherwise) is deemed an added benefit.
Water Science & Technology 02/2007; 55(3):63-9. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A study of the production of odour-causing compounds was conducted from the leaching of polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe and its joints, primer and cement, into drinking water distribution systems. Flavour Profile Analysis (FPA), closed-loop stripping analysis--gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (CLSA-GC/MS) and sensory-GC analysis of white or grey PVC alone found no odour-causing compounds produced during the leaching experiments. FPA analysis of the PVC's primer and cement leached alone and/or when applied to grey or white PVC pipes produced a glue/varnish odour. A sweet/phenolic odour replaced the glue/varnish odour after the leached media were diluted with Milli-Q water to threshold odour intensity. Three compounds were responsible for the sweet/phenolic odour and were observed by sensoryGC analysis. The leaching study of the PVC pipe with its joint solvents (primer and cement) concluded that the original solvent compounds, and their reaction products that formed during the bonding process on the PVC pipe, were a primary source of the glue/varnish odour. The original compounds of the PVC primer and cement were not detected by CLSA-GC/MS, due to their high volatility during the CLSA extraction method and/or these compounds appeared in a solvent peak of the GC/MS analysis. However, the original primer and cement chemicals (acetone, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, and cyclohexanone) had a glue/varnish odour. A total of nine odorous GC peaks were produced as reaction products from leaching of primer in water and white or grey PVC pipe with primer and cement, and white or grey PVC with primer only. None of these compounds were among the chemical ingredients in the original primer or cement. Four GC peaks with a sweet/phenolic odour were present due to the reaction products of the cement leached with white or grey PVC. None of these compounds were positively identified.
Water Science & Technology 02/2007; 55(5):169-76. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Salty taste with or without chlorine or chloramine flavour is one of the major consumer complaints to water utilities. The flavour profile analysis (FPA) taste panel method determined the average taste threshold concentration for salt (NaCl) in Milli-Q water to be 640 +/- 3 mg/L at pH 8. Chlorine and chloramine disinfectants have no antagonistic or synergistic effects on the taste of NaCl, salt, in Milli-Q water. The flavour threshold concentrations for chlorine or chloramine in Milli-Q water alone or in the presence of NaCl could not be estimated by the Weber-Fechner curves due to the chlorine or chloramine flavour outliers in the 0.2-0.8 mg/L concentration range. Apparently, NaCl is not equilibrated with the concentration of ions in the saliva in the mouth and the concentration of free chlorine or chloramines cannot be tasted correctly. Therefore, dechlorinated tap water may be the best background water to use for a particular drinking water evaluation of chlorine and chloramine thresholds. Laboratory FPA studies of free chlorine found that a 67% dilution of Central Arizona Project (CAP) (Tucson, AZ) water with Milli-O water was required to reduce the free chlorine flavour to a threshold value instead of a theoretical value of 80% (Krasner and Barrett, 1980). No synergistic effect was found for chlorine flavour on the dilution of CAP water with Milli-Q water. When Central Avra Valley (AVRA) groundwater was used for the dilution of CAP water, a synergistic effect of the TDS present was observed for the chlorine flavour. Apparently, the actual mineral content of drinking water, and not just NaCl in Milli-Q water, is needed for comparative flavour tests for chlorine and chloramines.
Water Science & Technology 02/2007; 55(5):293-300. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: 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.
Water Science & Technology 02/2007; 55(5):85-94. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for nonpoint source pollutants requires mass flux estimates for targeted compounds from contributing sources. We measured organophosphorus insecticide concentrations in surface runoff from agricultural and residential land-use sites in a southern Californian watershed over the course of runoff-producing irrigation and rainfall events. Event mean concentrations (EMCs) for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion exhibited considerable variability among irrigation and storm runoff events at agricultural sites; residential storm runoff EMCs for these compounds were considerably less variable. Event loads and EMCs were higher for runoff events following reported insecticide applications. Organophosphorus insecticide EMCs were not consistently correlated with hydrologic characteristics of runoff events. Our results indicate that on an area basis, loads from residential land may exceed those from sites planted in row crops for a given rainfall depth, suggesting that residential land use warrants explicit consideration in TMDL development and implementation. No consistent first flush effect was discernible for organophosphorus insecticides in storm or irrigation runoff. A relative potency factor approach is introduced to permit evaluation of organophosphorus insecticides on a common toxicological basis and allow development of TMDLs and pollutant control strategies for these compounds as a class.
Environmental Science and Technology 05/2006; 40(7):2120-7. · 5.23 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Seven volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) on the EPA Contaminant Candidate List together with 1,1-dichloropropane were studied for their reaction kinetics and mechanisms with ozone and OH radicals during ozonation and the ozone/ hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation process (O3/H2O2 AOP) using batch reactors. The three aromatic VOCs demonstrated high reactivity during ozonation and were eliminated within minutes after ozone addition. The high reactivity is attributed to their fast, indirect OH radical reactions with k(OH,M) of (5.3-6.6) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). Rates of aromatic VOC degradation are in the order 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene > p-cymene > bromobenzene. This order is caused by the selectivity of the direct ozone reactions (k(O3,M) ranges from 0.16 to 304 M(-1) s(-1)) and appears to be related to the electron-donating or -withdrawing ability of the substituent groups on the aromatic ring. The removal rates for the five aliphatic VOCs are much lower and are in the order 1,1-dichloropropane > 1,3-dichloropropane > 1,1-dichloroethane > 2,2-dichloropropane > 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. The second-order indirect rate constants for the aliphatic VOCs range from 0.52 x 10(8) to 5.5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The relative stability of the carbon-centered intermediates seems to be related to the relative reactivity of the aliphatic VOCs with OH radicals. Except for 1,3-dichloropropane, ozonation and the O3/H2O2 AOP are not effective for the removal of other aliphatic VOCs. Bromide formation during the ozonation of bromobenzene indicates that bromate can be formed, and thus, ozonation and O3/H2O2 AOP may not be suitable for the treatment of bromobenzene.
Environmental Science and Technology 05/2006; 40(8):2734-9. · 5.23 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Research has suggested that trihalomethane exposures during pregnancy might impair fetal growth. Most epidemiologic studies, however, relied on relatively crude exposure assessment methods and did not examine racial/ethnic subgroups. During 1999-2001, vital records data were obtained for a large, racially diverse population residing in 27 Massachusetts communities that received drinking water from a single public utility. The water system was monitored weekly for trihalomethanes and, system-wide, it maintained geographically stable total trihalomethane levels during the study period. The authors examined the effects of trimester-specific and pregnancy average exposures to total trihalomethane in drinking water on term low birth weight in all singleton births. A high average total trihalomethane exposure (> or = 70 microg/liter) during the second trimester increased the risk of term low birth weight (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 2.10). The estimated risk increase for Caucasians during the second trimester was 37% (95% CI: 0.80, 2.36), while for all minority women combined (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians) it was 60% (95% CI: 1.03, 2.47). The study data suggest that high levels (> or = 70 microg/liter) of trihalomethanes experienced during the second trimester and pregnancy overall may affect fetal growth.
American Journal of Epidemiology 02/2006; 163(1):38-47. · 5.22 Impact Factor
-
Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2005. IGARSS '05. Proceedings. 2005 IEEE International; 08/2005
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Effective watershed management requires an accurate assessment of the pollutant loads from the associated point and nonpoint sources. The importance of wet weather flow (WWF) pollutant loads is well known, but in semi-arid regions where urbanization is significant the pollutant load in dry weather flow (DWF) may also be important. This research compares the relative contributions of potential contaminants discharged in DWF and WWF from the Ballona Creek Watershed in Los Angeles, California. Models to predict DWF and WWF loads of total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and total phosphorus from the Ballona Creek Watershed for six water years dating from 1991 to 1996 were developed. The contaminants studied were selected based on data availability and their potential importance in the degradation of Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay beneficial uses. Wet weather flow was found to contribute approximately 75 percent to 90 percent of the total annual flow volume discharged by the Ballona Creek Watershed. Pollutant loads are also predominantly due to WWF, but during the dry season, DWF is a more significant contributor. Wet weather flow accounts for 67 to 98 percent of the annual load of the constituents studied. During the dry season, however, the portion attributable to DWF increases to greater than 40 percent for all constituents except biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. When individual catchments within the watershed are considered, the DWF pollutant load from the largest catchment is similar to the WWF pollutant load in two other major catchments. This research indicates WWF is the most significant source of nonpoint source pollution load on an annual basis, but management of the effects of the nonpoint source pollutant load should consider the seasonal importance of DWF.
JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association 08/2005; 41(4):959 - 969. · 1.78 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Considering this rapid growth in the purchasing of bottled water and home filtration devices, utilities are increasingly concerned about consumer dissatisfaction with tap water quality. This project aimed to characterize public perceptions of chlorinous flavors in drinking water, and how these impact customers' choices with respect to consumption of tap water alternatives. On-site taste tests at seven water utilities with 30 to 40 panelists at each site, were conducted using a forced-choice triangle test method (ASTM method E679-91) to measure public sensitivity to chlorine and chloramine in drinking water. The chlor(am)ine concentration increased from set to set. The best-estimate sensitivity limit for each panelist was the geometric mean of that concentration at which the last miss occurred and the next (adjacent) higher concentration. The measured sensitivity limit of average American populations to free chlorine (159 persons tested) and chloramine (93 persons tested) in tap water were 0.8 and 3.7 mg/L Cl2, respectively. These thresholds are much higher than those previously reported in the literature using trained FPA panels. No significant differences were observed between tap water users and users of tap water alternatives or between the various markets tested with respect to average sensitivity, though individual sensitivity varied widely.
Water Science & Technology 02/2004; 49(9):335-40. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Water treatment plants in the US may operate under the assumption that chlorine masks earthy and musty odors from geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in drinking water. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of chlorine and chloramines on geosmin and MIB by two sensory analysis approaches--a statistical Pairwise Comparison Test, and Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA). All Pairwise Ranking test statistics were significant (p<0.05); we conclude that panelists can differentiate minor differences in geosmin and MIB concentrations in a Pairwise Comparison Test even in the presence of chlorine. FPA appeared to be more challenging in discerning subtle differences in concentrations of geosmin or MIB than did the Pairwise Comparison Test, and the presence of chlorine (0.5-20 mg/L) and chloramines (3-24 mg/L) confused the panelists (i.e showed a larger error in the intensity of response reported by the panel), but did not necessarily mask geosmin or MIB.
Water Science & Technology 02/2004; 49(9):153-9. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: 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.
Water Science & Technology 02/2004; 49(9):241-8. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study was used to help define the contribution to taste and odor problems caused by the application of a pipe-joint lubricant to connect ductile iron pipe in drinking water distribution systems. Tyton Joint Lubricant (TJL) was studied. The lubricant produced odors that are continually oxidized by chlorine or oxygen. The mechanism of oxidative rancidity, one of the major causes of food spoilage is the apparent mechanism of oxidation. The odors produced by the lubricant were characterized by a Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA) panel as well as GC/MS and Sensory GC analysis. The most common odors perceived in the TJL water samples for the first six days were waxy/oily and soapy odors with a rancid oil, odor note. The waxy/oily and soapy odors decreased with time in the chlorine medium as the rancid oily odor note increased. Numerous aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and borneol compounds, produced from the lubricants, were tentatively identified and linked to the odors perceived by the FPA panel.
Water Science & Technology 02/2004; 49(9):233-40. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: 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.
Water Science & Technology 02/2004; 49(9):321-8. · 1.12 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Investigations of agricultural nonpoint source pollution typically focus on a relatively narrow range of targeted toxic and biostimulatory compounds (e.g., specific pesticides, nutrients). Regular application of numerous other organic compounds to agricultural fields in pesticide formulations, irrigation water, soil amendments, and fertilizers may result in their transport into surface waters via runoff. We examined whether potentially toxic dissolved and particle-associated "nontarget" organic compounds were present in surface runoff from agricultural fields irrigated with disinfected tertiary recycled water or wastewater effluent-dominated streamwater. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of filtered runoff samples revealed the presence of numerous nontarget compounds of potential toxicological significance including pesticide transformation products, pesticide adjuvant chemicals, plasticizers, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, and personal care product ingredients. Although the toxicity of many of these compounds is poorly characterized, some may elicit subtle but profound toxicological effects. Agricultural runoff also represented a source of allochthonous natural organic matter to the stream system.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 03/2003; 51(5):1360-72. · 2.82 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Significant amounts of non-point source runoff enter the Santa Monica Bay from the Ballona Creek Watershed during wet weather flow. The primary objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of hazardous metal pollutants associated with the aqueous and suspended solid phases during wet weather flow. A calculation of the mass of the pollutants for each storm was conducted. Other objectives of this study were to evaluate during a storm event the relationships between (1) soluble and sorbed metals, (2) storm flow and pollutant loading, including a determination if a first flush was present, and (3) total mass loading of pollutants and relative pollution loading from three watershed sub-basins. This study focused on the urbanized watershed of Ballona Creek, which is approximately 330 km2 (127 miles2) in size and developed primarily with residential and light commercial industries. In the 1997-98 rain season, an El Niño year, two storm events were monitored by the collection of hourly grab samples. An initial storm monitored Ballona creek, while a second storm also monitored Ballona Creek along with two smaller sub-watersheds, Centinela Channel and Sepulveda Channel. The results indicated the suspended solids phase primarily transported the mass for five of the six hazardous metals studied: cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and nickel. Arsenic was found primarily in the aqueous phase.
Water Science & Technology 02/2002; 45(9):263-8. · 1.12 Impact Factor
