Analysis of organic pollutants in a wastewater treatment plant

A comprehensive analytical method for the identification and quantitative determination of organic contaminants in domestic and industriai wastewater samples taken during the different phases of a treatment plant (Baciacavallo, Prato) is outlined. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with n-hexane and liquid-solid extraction (LSE) on a RP-18 colurnn for the recovery of a wide variety of dissolved compounds are evaluated. Organic extracts have been divided into four fractions of increasing polarity by adsorption on silica gel and analyzed using HPLC and HRGC-MS. The distribution of these contaminants between dissolved and particulate phases and their fate during the treatment process are discussed.