The use of solid phase microextraction (SPME) to monitor for major organoleptic compounds produced by chrysophytes in surface waters

An efficient extraction method is needed to measure trace levels of taste a nd odour compounds in surface waters. This is usually accomplished by costl y and involved analytical procedures. We have developed a simpler alternati ve, using a commercially available microextraction apparatus (SPME). With t his technique we successfully monitored trace levels of some target organol eptics (unsaturated aldehydes e.g. heptadienal, nonadienal, and related com pounds) which commonly cause aquatic taste and odour. We identified these c ompounds in culture material, and analyzed for them during the development of odourous chrysophyte blooms in two ponds. Preliminary work has also foun d a good recovery of some important off-flavour terpenoids (e.g. geosmin an d MIB). SPME is labour and cost efficient, and therefore appealing to water treatment facilities for detection and monitoring. In addition, SPME requi res only small sample volumes, and is therefore suitable for culture work. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ. All right s reserved.