Aurel Nuro – Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana University, Blv. “Zog I”, Nr. 25, Tirana, Albania
Bledar Murtaj – Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana University, Blv. “Zog I”, Nr. 25, Tirana, Albania
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/ITEMA.2020.277
4th International Scientific Conference on Recent Advances in Information Technology, Tourism, Economics, Management and Agriculture – ITEMA 2020, Online/virtual, October 8, 2020, CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS published by the Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans, Belgrade; Printed by: SKRIPTA International, Belgrade, ISBN 978-86-80194-36-3, ISSN 2683-5991, DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/ITEMA.2020
Abstract
This study evaluated levels for organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, Heptachlors, Aldrins and Endosulfanes), their residues, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in water samples of Adriatic Sea, Albanian part. Water stations were chosen near the main river estuaries of Albania (Vjosa, Semani, Shkumbini, Erzeni, Mati and Buna rivers). These rivers have catchment areas that cover almost all Albania. First, agricultural, industrial and urban waste is transported in these rivers and after that they finished in Adriatic Sea.
Water samples were analyzed for a five-year period from February 2015 to December 2019. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to isolate chlorinated pollutants and a florisil column was used for clean-up procedure. Analysis of organochlorine pesticides (according to Method EPA 8081B) and 7 PCB markers was realized using GC/ECD and RTX-5 capillary column. The PAHs were isolated by liquid-liquid extraction technique and after sample concentration qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by the GC/FID technique.
Organochlorine pollutants were detected for all stations of Adriatic Sea because of new arrivals by agricultural and industrial activity in river basins. The highest levels were found near Shkumbini and Semani estuaries due to impact Myzeqeja agricultural area. New arrivals from water irrigation and rainfall influence in found levels. Degradation products of pesticides and volatile PCBs were found at higher levels for all samples analyzed. The levels of some individual organochlorine pesticides were higher than EU and Albanian norms for Semani and Shkumbini rivers. Also, PAHs were found at higher levels for Semani River because of extracting-processing industry in Patos-Marinza area. Monitoring of organic pollutants in water of Adriatic Sea should be continuous because of its importance in fishing, tourism, recreation and Albania economy overall.
Keywords
Organochlorine pesticides; PCBs; PAH; Water analyzes; GC/ECD.
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