AUREL NURO, BLEDAR MURTAJ, JONIDA TAHIRAJ,
SONILA SHEHU, ESMERALDA HALO, ELDA MARKU,
ILIRJANA BOÇI1
KEYWORDS : Albanian ports, OCP; PCB; PAH; Water analyzes; GC/ECD/FID
ABSTRACT :
This paper presents the levels of organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water samples and sediments from the Albanian ports. In this study were considered seven main ports starting from Saranda to Shengjin ports. Water and sediment samples were taken at the same stations (64 stations in total) inside (38 stations) and outside (26 stations) port areas. The samples were taken in May 2023. The liquid-liquid technique was used for the extraction of organic pollutants from the water samples, while ultrasonic extraction was used for their isolation from the sediment samples. Their clean-up procedures were carried out in SPE columns. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic pollutants was carried out in the Varian 450 model gas
chromatograph, equipped with a μECD and FID detector. Rtx-5 capillary column were used for the separation of organochlorine pollutants and VF1ms column for PAH isolation. Organic pollutants were found in more than 80% of analyzed samples. The highest levels of contamination were found in sediments (except Saranda stations) compared to the water samples. The different profile of analyzed pollutants in water and sediments could be because of sources of pollution, pollutant properties, new arrivals from rivers (agricultural and industrial activities far from the port areas), momentum values, hydrogeology of ports (depth, water currents), etc. Analysis of organic pollutants in water and sediment samples of port areas should be continuous by authorities.