Detection of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol by liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatograph mass spectrum (LLE-GCMS)and solid phase extraction-gas chromatograph mass spectrum (SPE-GCMS)

Two sample preparation methods were introduced and compared in this paper to establish a simple, quick and exact analysis of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol. LC-18 column was employed in solid phase extraction (SPE), 1.0 mL of hexane was adopted in liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatograph mass spectrum (GCMS) in selected ion mode. Mean recoveries of SPE were low for 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) and geosmin (GSM) with values below 50%. For LLE, the recoveries were satisfyingly above 50% for 2-MIB and 80% for GSM. Detection limits of the LLE method were as low as 1.0 ng/L for GSM and 5.0 ng/L for 2-MIB. A year-long investigation on odor chemicals of drinking water in Shanghai demonstrated that in the summer, there was a serious odor problem induced by a high concentration of 2-MIB. The highest concentration of 152.82 ng/L appeared in July in raw water, while GSM flocculation was minimal with concentrations below odor threshold.