Water pollutants organic compounds

Hites, R.A. and Biemann, W.G., 1972. Water pollution organic compounds in the Charles River, Boston. Science, 178 158—160. 

Previous ultraviolet methods for determining nitrate have attempted to allow for humic acid interference [119-122], However, with the exception of Morries [122] these methods of allowance are inaccurate at humic acid concentrations above about 3.5 mg/1. Unfortunately, none of these methods have attempted to make any allowance for ultraviolet-absorbing pollutant organic compounds or interfering inorganic ions. Thus their application to water analyses other than for relatively unpolluted fresh waters is open to question. 

The major thrust of this work has, in particular, concerned the electrolytic dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls and similar species for environmental control of pollutants. However, there is a wider potential for this technology in the use of aqueous solvent systems for syntheses involving otherwise water-immiscible organic compounds. Water is of course the cheapest, most widely available and environmentally friendly solvent and with modem concerns over ecology and the search for clean technologies there is considerable opportunity for this particular application of ultrasound in electrochemistry. 

The technology is applicable for diffusely dispersed pollutants both in the non-saturated and saturated zone and in clay, sand, and peat soils. Contaminants that can be recovered by ER can be heavy metals, arsenic, nitrates, phosphates, halo-genides, and polar and/or water-soluble organic compounds such as cyanides, phenols, and nitro aromatics (such as trinitrotoluene [TNT]). Minimal moisture content should be 15%-20%. The technology is not economically applicable to heavy metals in metallic form, such as metal grindings, slag and cinder, concretions, and paint particles (putty). 

The Clean Water Act (1972) requires discharge limits to be set on industrial and municipal wastewater, and these analyses are outlined in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System for the 600 Series Methods. Method 624 covers the analysis of purgeable organic compounds Method 625 covers the analysis of 81 bases, neutrals, and acids Method 613 describes the analysis of dioxins and furans. 

Whenever unvented combustion occurs iadoors or when venting systems attached to combustion units malfunction, a variety of combustion products win be released to the iadoor environment. Iadoor combustioa units include nonelectric stoves and ovens, furnaces, hot water heaters, space heaters, and wood-burning fireplaces or stoves. Products of combustion include CO, NO, NO2, fine particles, aldehydes, polynuclear aromatics, and other organic compounds. Especially dangerous sources are unvented gas and kerosene [8008-20-6] space heaters which discharge pollutants directly into the living space. The best way to prevent the accumulation of combustion products indoors is to make sure all units are properly vented and properly maintained. 

Pollutant Distribution. Of particular importance for the aquatic ecosystem is the distribution of volatile substances, eg, gases and volatile organic compounds, between the atmosphere and water, and the sorption of compounds at soHd surfaces, eg, settling suspended matter, biological particles, sediments, and soils (41,42). 

Various methods for the glc monitoring of EPA Consent Decree Priority PoUutants in water have been described (36) (see Regulatory agencies). The deterrnination of organic poUutants in water by glc and ms methods has also been detailed (37,38). Nonvolatile organic compounds in drinking water have been determined by hplc (39) (see Water, pollution). 

The UK Environment Agency deals with over 6000 oil pollution incidents each year. One estimate suggests tliat tlie cheiTtical industry contributes to 50% of all ah pollution witli proportions approximating to sulphur dioxide (36%), carbon dioxide (28%), nitrogen oxides (18%), carbon monoxide (14%) and black smoke (10%). Motor spirit refining is responsible for ca 26% of emissions of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere. In 1996 there were over 20 000 reports of water pollution incidents with 155 successful prosecutions. 

In nonindustrial settings, MCS substances are the cause of indoor air pollution and are the contaminants in air and water. Many of the chemicals which trigger MCS symptoms are known to be irritants or toxic to the nervous system. As an example, volatile organic compounds readily evaporate into the air at room temperature. Permitted airborne levels of such contaminants can still make ordinary people sick. When the human body is assaulted with levels of toxic chemicals that it cannot safely process, it is likely that at some point an individual will become ill. For some, the outcome could be cancer or reproductive damage. Others may become hypersensitive to these chemicals or develop other chronic disorders, while some people may not experience any noticeable health effects. Even where high levels of exposure occur, generally only a small percentage of people become chemically sensitive. 

Figure 2.21 shows the on-line extraction gas chromatogram of 2.25 ml of water spiked at 5 ppb levels with 14 different organic pollutants (40). In this case, the authors concluded that wall-coated open tubular traps (thick-film polysiloxane phases) can be used for the on-line extraction of organic compounds from water. However, when using swelling agents such as pentane, non-polar analytes can be trapped quantitatively, while for more polar compounds chloroform is the most suitable solvent. 

Gossett RW, Brown DA, Young DR. 1983. Predicting the bioaccumulation of organic compounds in marine organisms using octanol/water partition coefficients. Mar Pollut Bull 14 387-392. 

Tabak HH, Quave SA, Mashni Cl, et al. 1981. Biodegradability studies with organic priority pollutant compounds. J Water Pollut Control Fed 53 1503-1518. 

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