RiverPOP: Measuring concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and trace metals in Norwegian rivers RiverPOP: Måle konsentrasjoner av persistente organiske forurensende stoffer og metaller i norske elver

Abstract

A performance evaluation of a range of techniques for the measurement of the concentration of persistent organic pollutants and trace metals was undertaken in the Drammenselva River in 2008. This work focussed on techniques that have the potential to substantially improve the reliability and limits of detection of such measurements. Passive sampling techniques were employed to measure dissolved contaminant concentrations while continuous flow centrifugation, time-integrative suspended particulate matter sampling and large volume water sampling were conducted to measure contaminants associated with the particulate phase. Contaminant limits of detection were in the low pg L-1 range and agreement between the different methods was observed. Following further improvements, these methods may become a vital part of the RID monitoring programme for the evaluation of riverine fluxes of contaminants.