Gas chromatographic-electron capture analysis of disinfection byproducts from the chlorination of swimming pools and lake water
Trihalomethanes are a class of compounds that are restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water. Water sources that contain a high amount of water life increase the amount of trihalomethanes produced when the water is chlorinated. Following the methods utilized by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, lake water from the Overton Arm of Lake Mead was sampled, chlorinated, extracted, and analyzed by a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector; Analysis of the data showed that the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead produced the highest concentrations of trihalomethanes. The lake's Overton Arm showed more bromoform production and areas from Lake Mohave resembled the Boulder Basin; An extraction method was modified to isolate another group of halogenated compounds, known as haloacetic acids. Results showed that the methylation performed well however, the diazomethane methylated many compounds that were not being studied which interfered with the compounds that were being studied; The final portion of this research dealt with the levels of trihalomethanes produced by the chlorination of swimming pools in the Las Vegas Valley. Results of these samples showed that the public swimming pools produced more trihalomethanes, specifically chloroform, than the private swimming pools.
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