Analysis of odorous compounds in water by isolation by closed-loop stripping with a multichannel silicons rubber trap followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

An alternative technique for the isolation and concentration of odorous com pounds found in potable water is described. The method currently employed b y water authorities is closed-loop stripping with the collection of these s ubstances on a small activated carbon filter. The compounds of interest are then extracted from the carbon using a suitable solvent. The authors offer a multichannel silicone rubber trap as an alternative to the carbon filter . The absorbed compounds are thermally desorbed from the trap, directly on to the gas chromatographic column for analysis by GC-MS, thereby eliminatin g the solvent extraction step required by the carbon filter. The multichann el silicone rubber trap, producing equivalent results, offers a number of a dvantages over the carbon filter. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.