Various analytical methods for the determination of organic residues in water were applied to samples from the Lagoa de Juturnaíba in the Região dos Lagos, east of Rio de Janeiro. The concentrations of more than 60 pesticides and of different aminopolycarboxylic acids were determined using GC/MS detection, and a GC/MS screening procedure was applied to detect additional compounds. None of the investigated pesticide residues could be detected in the lake water at detection limits of less than 100 ng/L. EDTA was detected at a concentration level of 2 mg/L in the lake and in drinking water prepared from this lake. Traces of biphenyl were identified by GC/MS in the lake water, the source of which may be its use in impregnating citrus fruit packaging. The drinking water produced from the lake by two different water treatment plants was investigated with respect to disinfection by-products (DBPs), such as chlorinated organic acids. The concentration of the investigated DBPs was as high as 180 mg/L in one sample. The AOX of this sample was 428 g/L.
pesticides; aminopolycarboxylic acids; disinfection by-products; GC/MS; drinking water quality
