Over 700 compounds have been identified as byproducts formed during water disinfection; however, only 11 classes of compounds are currently regulated by the EPA. The most commonly detected classes of disinfection byproducts are haloacetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethanes (THMs). Due to regulatory requirements, accurate and efficient quantification of THMs and HAAs is of great concern to water treatment plants. THMs can be readily measured via gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), but HAAs require an additional derivatization step to their methyl ester form prior to analysis. The EPA recommended derivatization method is time intensive and alternative methods have been proposed. Previous research has been conducted to develop a quick method for simultaneous derivatization and extraction of HAAs via headspace gas chromatography. Further work has been conducted to create a method to measure both THMs and HAAs. The proposed method, however, does not consider the possibility of artificial THM formation via decarboxylation of HAAs. This work seeks to develop a headspace GC-MS method to accurately and simultaneously quantify THMs and HAAs in source waters. Previously proposed methods were replicated to demonstrate artificial formation of THMs and ongoing work is being conducted to further optimize the headspace GC-MS method to minimize decarboxylation (and potential hydrolysis) of HAAs.

Development of headspace GC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids

ACS Spring 2022

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