title: Time and space patterns of volatile organic compounds in a sewage treatment plant.
abstract: 47 regulated and non-regulated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were characterised by closed-loop stripping analysis (CLSA) and high resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HRGC/MS) in 28 aqueous samples from 4 sampling points along a sewage treatment plant in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain. A 4 x 2(2) factorial design (16 samples) was first prepared for the sampling, and reinforced with 12 additional samples at the plant influent. The total analyte weighted mean concentration was 232 microg x l(-1) at the plant influent, with a mass flow of 2231 kg x yr(-1). Petroleum solvents and terpenic compounds accounted for 79% of the influent analyte concentration. VOC concentration in influent was clearly higher for most VOCs from 12 to 22 h (high organic load hours), and lower from 24 to 10 h (lower organic load). Differences between time bands were confirmed through t tests. Differences between weekdays and the weekend were not so clear, and could not be confirmed through t tests. VOC concentrations along the plant are discussed. Overall analyte removal in the plant was 89%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Colom 1, 08222 Terrassa, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escalas
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guadayol
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cortina
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caixach
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D014835:Volatilization; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical