Study of the radiodegradation of geosmina and metilisborniol odoriferous organic compounds present in the Guarapiranga water system

The pollution of the reservoir by clandestine domestic wastewater and garbage has taken to the occurrence of alterations in the taste and odour of public drinking waters in Sao Paulo City. These changes are due to the seaweed proliferation in water from Great Sao Paulo Public System, composes mainly by Guarapiranga and Rio Grande. The main responsible organic composites for the taste and odour of consumed drinking waters are geosmine (GEO) and methylisoborneol (MIB). In the present work the efficiency of the treatment with gamma radiation on removal of GEO and MIB and for the improvement of the water quality, was evaluated. For this study it was used water samples from Water Treatment Plant of Alto Boa Vista - SABESP, that were irradiated with doses of 0,5 kGy, 1,0 kGy, 2,0 kGy and 3,0 kGy. The radiation showed be efficient on GEO and MIB removal, improving the water quality by decreasing the taste and odour. (author)