ORGSPEC Speciation and quantification of emerging organic pollutants

-

A substantial number of different organic chemical substances are emitted to, and circulating, in the environment, some of which may be harmful. However, the identity and quantity of the majority of all sampled compounds remains still unknown. The researc h and management related focus on organic environmental pollutants will therefore be high also in future. Important questions from the society are (1) to identify and quantify harmful substances in the environment, (2) to explain and understand their tra nsport and fate mechanism and (3) to evaluate the risks associated with human and environmental exposure. NILU, which is a leading institute in Norway on integrated measurement and modelling of organic environmental pollutants, is continuously challenged to develop new sampling techniques, analytical methods and new models to cope with emerging groups of pollutants. Further strategic research on these issues is expected to sustain and expand NILUs position as a leading institute in the field of environmen tal chemistry within Norway. Strategic investments and continuous capacity building on these issues are considered essential in order to be able to assist the scientific community, authorities, industry and the society with relevant knowledge related to e merging organic pollutants, also in the future. This project will further develop and evaluate new analytical techniques developed by academic groups working in the field of pure analytical chemistry and make these techniques suitable for the field of env ironmental analytical chemistry. The ultimate goal of this project is to further develop, evaluate and improve an integrated approach for sampling, identification and quantification of emerging organic pollutants.