MIB adsorption in drinking water treatment

The objective of this research was to provide the tools necessary to determine the effectiveness of activated carbon, in the presence or absence of free chlorine, for the removal of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in a drinking water treatment plant.; An alternative approach to analyzing concentrations of (MIB) was developed for use in laboratory-scale experiments. MIB synthesized with radiolabeled- 14C (14C-MIB), could be analyzed by liquid scintillation counting, a technique suitable for the rapid collection and analysis of radiolabeled compounds. Using this technique, a 2.5 mL sample aliquot containing 14C-MIB could be analyzed with a 3.0 ng/L limit of detection with greater than 89% confidence, without any sample concentration. This analysis could be used in the presence or absence of free chlorine.; The percent MIB removed by activated carbon, either powdered (PAC) or granular (GAC), was independent of the influent MIB concentration in natural water. It was determined that the adsorption of MIB was controlled by the quantity of natural organic matter adsorbed. Based on these experimental findings and supported by competitive adsorption theory, one protocol was developed to determine the minimum PAC dose required to reduce a known concentration of MIB to a desired level. A second protocol was also developed to determine the remaining GAC bed life for the mitigation of an MIB taste and odor episode. The results from these protocols indicated that adsorption by activated carbon alone might not provide sufficient protection against taste and odor caused by MIB. It was suggested that an alternative or combination of technologies (ozone, advanced oxidation, biological reduction, adsorption) be investigated to determine which is the most effective.; It was observed that chlorine had a deleterious effect on the ability of both PAC and GAC to adsorb MIB. From this, it was encouraged to avoid contacting activated carbon with chlorine.