Human activities accelerate the natural process of eutrophication, favouring the occurrence of algae and cyanobacterial blooms. These organisms emit the compounds 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, which confer earthy and moldy taste and odor to water. The presence of MIB and geosmin is extended to drinking water inasmuch they are not completely removed by the processes used in conventional treatment. This research was conducted to evaluate the capability of alternative treatment processes to remove MIB and geosmin from water. The processes studied were cascade aeration, air stripping, and nanofiltration. The results suggested that MIB and geosmin can be almost completely removed by nanofiltration, while the processes based on aeration and stripping were relatively inefficient.
taste and odor; cascade aeration; air stripping; nanofiltration; 2-methylisoborneol; geosmin
