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Sampling and Analysis of Emerging Pollutants
Citation:
Alvarez, D. A. AND T. L. JONES-LEPP. Sampling and Analysis of Emerging Pollutants. Edition 1, Chapter 11, Y. Li, K. Migliaccio (ed.), Water Quality Concepts, Sampling, and Chemical Analysis. CRC Press - Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL, , 199-226, (2010).
Impact/Purpose:
The first step in understanding the potential biological impact of ECs in the environment is to identify and quantify the types which are present. To do so, innovative sampling methodologies need to be coupled with analytical techniques which can confirm the identity of targeted and unknown chemicals at trace concentrations in complex environmental samples. This chapter will discuss common techniques which can be used to address the issues of sampling and analysis of ECs, such as pharmaceuticals, hormones, personal care products, perfluorinated chemicals, and nanomaterials in water.
Description:
Historically, environmental monitoring programs have focused on organic chemicals which are known to resist degradation, bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms and have a known adverse toxicological effect. The Stockholm Convention identified several classes of chemicals (chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dioxins and furans) fitting these criteria which led to the world-wide limitation or banning of the use of twelve chemicals (UNEP, 2005). These chemicals and others which fit the described criteria are typically referred to as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Recently, it has been recognized that risks to aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including humans, are not limited to chemicals fitting the classical POP definition. An examination of the complex mixtures of chemicals present in natural water reveals the presence of organic chemicals covering a wide range of water solubilities and environmental half-lives. Many of these chemicals have been termed emerging contaminants by the scientific community.