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The aim of the work described here was to develop and validate a method by which dibutyl phthalate may be subject to determinations using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography. Optimization of the chromatographic method was based on the selection of working conditions for both the chromatograph and the detector. Following the optimization of extraction and separation parameters, the method was validated by evaluating specificity, the analytical curve, linearity, limits of detection and quantification and recovery. The proposed method has been evaluated in terms of linearity, over a range of concentrations from 0 to 7.5 mg·L-1.The analytical curves show values for correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. Mean recoveries from samples ranged from 97 to 127%, with relative standard deviation lower than 11%. Limit of detection LOD and limit of quantification LOQ values were 0.02 and 0.053 mg·L-1 respectively.

Negative and effectively “irreversible” changes in the environment have often been caused by one or more factors including the intensive development of new technologies, progressing urbanisation and - above all - insufficient knowledge of the properties and toxic effects of many chemicals used. Hundreds of non-natural compounds capable of exerting a negative effect on the natural environment have now been identified in it, including within the broad categories of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such new and emerging pollutants pose a serious threat to living organisms on account of their tendency to accumulate in certain parts of the environment. Furthermore, the substances in question may prove toxic and harmful to human beings and the environment even at low concentrations. Work described here thus had as its objective an analysis of the pollution of surface water in Poland in terms of content of organic compounds in general, and the aforementioned emerging organic pollutants in particular. Results confirm the presence in waters of such substances as phthalic esters, polybrominated diphenylethers, and organic tin compounds. Reference to average values for individual parameters in the cases of different rivers and lakes further show that, as of 2014-15, the various Polish surface waters researched were characterised by similar levels of pollution, other than in the case of naphthalene.

The paper presents the water classification of four small retention reservoirs on the basis of selected physical and chemical indicators, such as: conductivity, pH level, dissolved oxygen, calcium hardness, general hardness and alkalinity. Three reservoirs (Ożanna, Kamionka and Cierpisz) are within the limits in terms of average values for the second class of water quality. Water in the Nowa Wieś reservoir does not qualify as second quality class of surface water. These reservoirs have had very irregular seasonal variations of water quality. Unambiguous correlations have not been established. Aggressive properties of water have been tested on the basis of Langelier (IL) or Ryznar (IR) indexes and calcium carbonate saturation [pHs]. Waters in the Ożanna and Nowa Wieś reservoirs do not have aggressive properties. Both the Kamionka and Cierpisz reservoirs are characterized by corrosive and leaching aggressiveness.

The work detailed in this study investigated the efficiency of oxidizing technologie for the removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from aqueous solutions. OCPs constitute an important group of environmental pollutants also known to be endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). The particular focus has been on a process achieving oxidation through the use of ultrasonic waves, with the impacts of pH, time on TOC and pesticide removal all being tested. Results confirm effective TOC decomposition using ultrasonic waves, albeit with reaction time showing a significant impact on results. Furthermore, results for TOC were not found to reflect those relating to the removal of individual substances from the tested mixture. Chromatographic analysis of reaction mixtures was therefore carried out after the selected processes had been applied, and an attempt to identify and characterize degradation products of the pesticides tested was also made. During the irradiation, the H2O2 concentration arising was also monitored. The results indicate that H2O2 is produced by cavitation during ultrasonic irradiation.