Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

High-resolution Mass Spectrometry in the Identification of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Systems

Abstract

Serap Meeron*

The ongoing environmental challenges posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in aquatic systems have gained considerable attention due to their long-lasting impacts on both the environment and human health. POPs, which include a wide variety of chemical substances, are characterized by their persistence in the environment, ability to bioaccumulate in living organisms, and potential to cause harm to ecosystems and human health. These pollutants can enter aquatic environments through various pathways, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, wastewater effluents, and atmospheric deposition. Once in water bodies, POPs can travel long distances, often reaching remote areas, making their monitoring and identification crucial for environmental protection and public health. As the impact of POPs becomes more widely recognized, there is an increasing demand for advanced analytical techniques to monitor their presence and quantify their concentrations in aquatic systems. One such powerful tool that has revolutionized the detection and characterization of POPs is High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS