Methods of Characterizing Missouri River Organic Materials of Taste and Odor Interest

Abstract

A study on the importance of the presence of taste‐ and odor‐causing materials in the Missouri River was recognized by representatives of industries and municipalities, resulting in the formation of the Missouri River Pollution Monitoring Committee. This committee furnished materials of taste and odor significance for study in the sanitary engineering laboratories of Washington University in St. Louis. The study of these organic materials of taste and odor significance is presented in this article, including study techniques presently used to characterize these organic substances. Results indicate the following: carbon filters are a good tool for the study of organics of taste and odor significance; infrared spectroscopy is useful in proving other methods of characterization; and, characterization through the use of biological degradation studies is important in determining the persistence of organic material having taste and odor significance.

Considerations in the Isolation and Measurement of Organic Refractories in Water

“…The membrane filtration technique was not selected for this study because of the cost of the large number of filters required and the complex operation of the equipment. The various cartridge types of filters investigated did not give a satisfactory separation because ity characteristics, so that the water could be sampled in its natural state except for the absence of particulate matter; (3) add no additional organic material to the water; (4) operate at an approximate rate of 1 cfm; (5) separate the particulate matter so that it could be dried and extracted and, thus, the nature of the associated organic refractories established; and (6) be easy to operate and moderate in construction cost. The kinds of filtration equipment investigated for use in the removal of the particulate matter from the river water were: membrane filters the pore opening was too large.…”

Potassium Permanganate Oxidation of Organic Contaminants in Water Supplies

“…A carbon dose of 83 ppm reduced the threshold odor from 60 to 14. An average permanganate concentration of 10 ppm, however, in conjunction with SO ppm of carbon, reduced threshold odors from a 400-2,000 initial range to values of [3][4][5] during times of high-odor problems.…”