Effect of chlorination on the formation of odorous disinfection by-products

In order to explain some of the possible origins of an odor episode, which took place in a drinking water supply in the region of Paris (France), the chlorination reaction of some simple amino acids (valine, leucine and phenylalanine) was investigated. In addition to the commonly admitted intermediates and products of this reaction (monochloramines, aldehydes and nitriles), the formation of far less documented products was observed: N-chloroaldimines which proved to present particular properties. These products appeared to remain relatively stable in water, especially at low temperatures, and can be formed under disinfection conditions relevant to those of drinking water treatment (i.e. at high chlorination rates). N-chloroaldimines also present strong swimming pool odors with a floral background, with odor detection thresholds close to 1 μg L−1 and even less. These values were established with a laboratory-made protocol. These products appeared more odorous than the corresponding aldehydes, known for a long time as potent odor causing chemicals and which have previously been involved in some odor problems in the field of drinking water treatment. N-chloroaldimines are consequently products of interest for water treaters and are now suspected to be a source of off-flavor concerns among consumers. We have therefore developed an analytical method (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) to demonstrate the presence of some of these compounds in water at concentrations close to their odor detection thresholds. Considering the levels of amino acids that can be reached in water, this level of chloroaldimines concentration could be obtained under certain pollution conditions.