Assessment of Water Quality Dynamics in Relation to Selected Organic Pollutants

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water quality parameters on the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The relationships between POPs and water quality parameters (pH, salinity, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen) were investigated in local creeks flowing through Çankırı province, Türkiye. Organic chlorine compounds (OCCs), chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in water and sediment samples picked from 5 different stations in summer and winter. PBDEs and OCC residues in water were not found in the analyses using GC–MS device, while PCBs (40.69 µg/L in dry season, 25.92 µg/L in wet season) and PAHs (89.2 µg/L in dry season; 124.43 in wet season) reached the highest concentrations at station 5. Method validation was conducted in accordance with SANTE/11312/2021 and EUROCHEM guidelines. DDT derivatives were detected in sediments. PAH and PCB concentrations showed statistically significant positive correlations with salinity and electrical conductivity. Dissolved oxygen had a negative effect on PAHs. The findings show that water quality parameters meaningfully affect the environmental behavior of pollutants, with pollutant accumulation in sediment concentrated especially in high salinity areas. This is thought to reduce the solubility of pollutants, leading to their retention in sediment and increasing their potential for bioaccumulation. The study reveals the presence of POP pollution in Çankırı region and emphasises the importance of water quality parameters in monitoring such pollutants.