Analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans in various aqueous samples in Taiwan

Chemosphere. 2011 Apr;83(6):760-6. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.02.065. Epub 2011 Mar 31.

Abstract

Twenty-one fresh water samples were taken from reservoirs, wells and drinking water treatment plants in Taiwan for measurement of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) concentrations. Due to low concentration of PCDD/Fs, water samples (400-1,000 L) were collected by using the on-site large volume pre-concentration system and analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC)/high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). Different characteristics of dioxin profiles in surface water and groundwater are observed. The PCDD/F concentrations in fresh water samples varied from 0.001 to 0.265 pg WHO(98)-TEQ/L which are lower than the standard (12 pg WHO(98)-TEQ/L) set by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA) for drinking water. Only a small fraction (<5%) of the total PCDD/F concentration in fresh water samples was water-soluble. As a result of their hydrophobicity, PCDD/Fs are effectively removed along with suspended solid via the water treatment process (average 98% removal efficiency).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / analysis*
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Dioxins / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Fresh Water / chemistry
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis
  • Taiwan
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • Water Pollution, Chemical / statistics & numerical data
  • Water Supply / analysis

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Dioxins
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical