EVALUATION OF ORGANOCHLORINE POLLUTANTS IN RIVERMOUTHS OF VJOSA, SEMANI AND SHKUMBINI RIVERS

Abstract: Purpose of this study was evaluation of levels for some organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, Heptachlors, Aldrins and Endosulfanes) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in water samples of Vjosa, Semani and Shkumbini rivers. These rivers have a catchment area that collect waters from large agricultural areas includes Myzeqeja Field. Many industrial wastes finished in these rivers because of elevated industrial activity near these rivers. All these rivers flow into Adriatic Sea, so it is important to evaluate the pollutant levels in their estuaries. Water samples were taken two times per year in a three years period from March 2017 to December 2019. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to isolate chlorinated pollutants and a florisil column was used for clean-up procedure. Analysis of organochlorinated pesticides (according to Method EPA 8081) and polychlorinated biphenyls (7 PCB markers) were realized by using gas chromatography technique equipped with electron capture detector and RTX-5 capillary column. Organochlorinated pollutants were detected for all stations, for each sampling periods because of agricultural and industrial impact in water rivers. The highest levels were found in Semani and Shkumbini rivermouths due to higher agricultural areas near these rivers. New arrivals from water irrigation and discharges of industrial wastes influence in found levels. Degradation products of pesticides and volatile PCBs were found in higher levels for all analyzed samples. The levels of organochlorine pollutants were higher than EU and Albanian norms for Semani and Shkumbini rivers.