The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) of the European Union provides protection from chemical pollutants through the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) Directive (2008/105/EC), which sets EQSs for priority substances (PSs) and certain other pollutants, according to the requirements set out in Article 16(8) of the WFD. For organic PSs, these EQSs are expressed as total concentrations in the whole-water sample. Total concentrations can be obtained by direct analysis of the whole-water sample or by separate determinations on filterable and solid phases. Both solutions have their advantages and drawbacks, which we critically discuss in the present review. Analysis of data in the literature and experience from standardization activities show that it is possible to find a simple extraction method for analyzing whole water without time-consuming separation steps. The solid-phase extraction disk is now subject to standardization efforts as the most promising technique to achieve this goal. We discuss limitations of this approach in the light of the consequences for chemical-status assessment.
The analytical problem of measuring total concentrations of organic pollutants in the whole water
Ademollo N;Patrolecco L;Polesello S;Valsecchi S;
2012
Abstract
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) of the European Union provides protection from chemical pollutants through the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) Directive (2008/105/EC), which sets EQSs for priority substances (PSs) and certain other pollutants, according to the requirements set out in Article 16(8) of the WFD. For organic PSs, these EQSs are expressed as total concentrations in the whole-water sample. Total concentrations can be obtained by direct analysis of the whole-water sample or by separate determinations on filterable and solid phases. Both solutions have their advantages and drawbacks, which we critically discuss in the present review. Analysis of data in the literature and experience from standardization activities show that it is possible to find a simple extraction method for analyzing whole water without time-consuming separation steps. The solid-phase extraction disk is now subject to standardization efforts as the most promising technique to achieve this goal. We discuss limitations of this approach in the light of the consequences for chemical-status assessment.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.