STUDY OF ORGANCHLORINATED POLLUTANTS IN SEDIMENTS OF NORTH ALBANIA

PCBs and other chlorinated pollutants, particularly the highly chlorinated ones, have been known to persist in soils, water, sediments and biota for long periods of time. The deposition of particle-bound PCBs from the atmosphere and the sedimentation of them from water are largely responsible for their accumulation in sediments and soils.Data reported here are parts of a study to determine the concentration and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of North Albania: Velipoja (Adriatic Sea), Buna River to Shkodra Lake. Sediments were sampled in May 2009.Ultrasonic extraction was used for extracting polychlorinated biphenyls from sediment samples. Clean-up procedure for sediment samples was performing using metallic mercury following an open florisil column. Analysis of PCBs was based on the determination of the seven PCB markers (IUPAC Nr. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) measured by gas chromatography electron capture detection. Results of surveillance on polychlorinated biphenyls markers was in levels comparable within sediments of these three water resources, because their same origin.