TARGETED SCREENING OF PHENOLIC TOXICANTS IN WATERS AND BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF THE MIDDLE REACHES OF THE DON RIVER

Abstract

The targeted screening of 11 phenolic toxicants (phenol, chlorophenols, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, octylphenol, nonylphenol, bisphenol A) has been carried out over river water and bottom sediments (BS) in the middle reaches of the Don river within the boundaries of the Voronezh Region. Three sampling points were selected for quantitative chemical analysis: in the zone affected by the discharge of sewage treatment plants of a large city (Voronezh), in the district centre (the city of Liski), and in an area with insignificant anthropogenic influence. The concentrations of phenolic compounds were determined using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the analytes were preconcentrated on a magnetic sorbent functionalised with aminated hypercrosslinked polystyrene. Sampling was carried out four times a year, taking into account seasonal climatic fluctuations and precipitation. The maximum concentrations were established in the spring for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (1022 ng/L) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (557 ng/L). In bottom sediments, the highest concentrations are achieved for alkylphenols: 1.99 and 7.84 μg/g for octylphenol and nonylphenol, respectively. Bisphenol A has not been found in detectable amounts in waters, however, a significant concentration of this compound has been found in bottom sediments: 3.18 μg/kg. The bottom sediments were also determined to contain 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol. The maximum concentrations of phenolic pollutants in river water are usually observed in spring during high water and after heavy rainfall. Phenol concentrations in bottom sediments are less susceptible to seasonal fluctuations. The hydrophobicity of substances and an increase in their stability against degradation significantly affect their accumulation in BS.