Removal of geosmin (trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol) from aqueous solution using an indirect electrochemical method

Geosmin was effectively removed using an electrochemical method at the Ti/RuO2–Pt anode in the presence of NaCl as a reactant. At a current density of 40 mA cm−2, the geosmin concentration decreased from 600 ng L−1 to 6 ng L−1 in 60 min in the presence of 3.0 g L−1 NaCl. HOCl formed during electrolysis would likely play an important role in the geosmin oxidation. The electrochemical method exhibited good performance for geosmin removal under various conditions. The geosmin removal rate increased with increasing current density, while the geosmin removal rates were similar at different initial pH values. The Ti/RuO2–Pt anode also performed well for electrochemical degradation of geosmin at both low and high concentrations. According to the present experimental results, the electrochemical method should be a promising alternative for the efficient and rapid removal of musty odor compounds in a water treatment process.