Methodologies and Concentration Levels of Persistent Organics in the Environment

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including PAHs (PolyAromatic Hydrocarbons), PCBs (PolyChlorinated Biphenyls) and pesticides have become a threat for environment and in turn to human health in recent two decades. It is important to understand the chemistry of these pollutants in order to develop control strategies and policy frameworks. Extraction procedures for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and pesticides in soil, water, plant and sediment samples were optimized and validated. The methods optimized were Soxhlet extraction, Ultrasonic bath extraction, Solid phase extraction and Solid phase micro extraction (SPME). In order to search out the main factors affecting extraction efficiencies, factorial design was used. Optimized and validated methodologies were used to determine POPs in the air of Ankara, sediments of the Mediterranean, well water, soil and exported agricultural products. Concentration levels will be presented, compared with other countries and discussed considering their sources and effects on the natural environment and human health.