Determination of some organic pollutants in waters rivers of Tirana city

Abstract

This study presented data about concentrations of some organic pollutants in two main rivers of Tirana city: Lana River that crosses through the city and Tirana River that lies in northeast of the city. Twenty stations were analyzed in this study. Sampling of water was realized in July 2016. These rivers present important aquatic areas of Tirana region in Albania. For both water river samples were analyzed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), their degradation products, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o-, m-, p-xylenes) and polyromantic hydrocarbons (PAH). For extraction of OCPs and PCBs by water samples were used liquid-liquid (LLE) extraction and n-Hexane as extracting solvent. After clean-up and concentration procedures for all samples were performed gas chromatographic analyzes using Rtx-5 capillary column (30 m x 0.33 mm x 0.25 um) and electron capture detector (GC/ECD). Headspace solid phase micro extraction (HS-SPME) technique was used to trace BTEX in water samples. For isolation of PAH, LLE extraction assisted with Dichloromethane as extraction solvent were used. The extracts were concentrated and then were injected in gas chromatograph. The analysis of BTEX and PAH in water samples was performed by gas chromatography technique using flame ionization detector (GC/FID). Injections of BTEX were done directly by using Head-Space mode of Polydimethyl Siloxane fiber. VF-1ms capillary column (30 m x 0.33 mm x 0.25 um) was used for separation of BTEX and PAH compounds. The higher concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were found for water samples of Tirana River because of their previous use, in the agricultural areas near the basin of this river. The higher concentrations were for volatile PCBs because of their atmospheric deposition in Albanian territory. Relatively high concentrations of BTEX and more volatile PAH compounds were detected in water samples of Lana River. The presence of volatile organic pollutants could be mostly of automobilist transport near the stations, discharging of wastes from some gas stations or some mechanical industries neat the river.

Organic pollutants in water samples of Vjosa river: Albania

“…Quantification of PAH was based on external standards. Three points of calibration were selected for PAH after diluted in dichloromethane to concentrations 20, 50 and 100 μg/L [11,15,16].…”

“…The spillage of fossil fuel can be a significant source of contamination, as well as the leaching from pipes. The occurrences in the environment and their proved mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, sixteen PAH have been selected by the US EPA ("United States Environmental Protection Agency) as priority pollutants [6,7,16]. Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes (BTEX) are also major constituents of gasoline.…”

Some of the characteristic substances in the Devola River, Albania

“…Organochlorine pesticides (DDT, Lindane, HCB, etc) were used widely in this area from 1946 to 1990s. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were not in use in Albania until 90' but they are reported in many ecosystems of our country because of atmospheric depositions [1][2][3][4][5].…”