Formation of strong mutagen [3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone] MX by chlorination of fractions of lake water

Dissolved organic matter from lake water was separated into seven compound classes by sorbtion on a series of resin absorbents. About 81.3% of the dissolved organic carbons were recovered from the lake water sample. After chlorine treatment of the fractions [3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone], MX was determined with GC/MS in the selected ion monitoring mode. The fulvic acids, humic acids and hydrophobic neutrals produced more MX on a TOC-basis than the other fractions. There are much more fulvic acids in the water and therefore fulvic acids might contribute more to MX formation in the chlorinated natural water. After GC/MS analysis some phenols that possibly produce MX by chlorination were detected in the oxidation products of humic substances.