Automated Solid Phase Extraction Techniques for the Determination of Emerging Trace Organic Pollutants in Treated Wastewater

摘要

The analysis of emerging trace organic targets in drinking water, surface water, and groundwater has become a critical monitoring requirement and is dependent on specific locations and treatment technologies. The monitoring of these compounds provides valuable information for both drinking water facilities and sewage treatment plants. As more regions utilize water reclamation processes to augment water reliability, the proper monitoring of these constituents will play an essential role in protecting the quality of these source waters, especially in areas such as Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.Among the many emerging target compounds that are currently being investigated, nitrosamines, 1,4-dioxane, hormones/estrogens, phenols, and Pharmaceuticals have very unique characteristics and impacts on the water industry. Detection of these emerging contaminants in both water and wastewater treatment plants pose significant challenges to both operational and regulatory processes. Determination of these targets within specific plant treatment steps, at the low part per trillion ranges, continues to have regulators concerned as to their fate and occurrence. Nitrosamines and 1,4-dioxane are not easily removed by advanced water treatment processes such as micro-filtration and reverse osmosis, while most personal care products, hormones/estrogens, industrial phenols, and Pharmaceuticals are well treated within these processes.Orange County Water District (OCWD) has monitored eight nitrosamines and other emerging contaminants within our advanced water treatment plant and monitoring facilities at sub parts per trillion levels. To effectively monitor for these critical targets, we have improved specific analytical methods using automated solid phase extraction processes. Since the molecular weight, polarity,