An Overview on Organic Pollutant Levels in Surface Waters of Dimal Area, Central Albania
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Monitoring the presence of persistent organic pollutants in surface waters is essential for assessing environmental contamination and potential ecological risks. In this study, water samples collected from three streams and drainage canals in the Dimal area (Drenovicë, Shajnov and Sjepur), which discharge into the Osum River, were analyzed for selected groups of organic contaminants. The objective of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in these surface waters and to assess potential anthropogenic sources. The analysis was performed using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization and electron capture detectors (GC/FID/ECD). Among the investigated organochlorine pesticides, only a limited number of compounds were detected, including heptachlor epoxide, endrin, endosulfan I + II, and endosulfan sulfate, with concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.2 ppb. Several PCB congeners were also identified, namely PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 138 and PCB 153, with concentrations between 1 and 3.6 ppb. In addition, selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including fluoranthene, anthracene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene, were detected at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.1 ppm. The occurrence of these persistent organic pollutants suggests the influence of historical pesticide use, agricultural activities and possible urban or industrial inputs in the studied area. Although only a limited number of compounds were detected, their presence highlights the persistence and environmental stability of these contaminants in aquatic systems. The findings emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of organic pollutants in surface waters that ultimately flow into the Osum River in order to better understand contamination pathways and support environmental protection measures.
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