Esmeralda HALO - Analyses of priority substances in the waters of the main ports in Albania

Dissertation Title: “Analysis of priority substances in the waters of the main ports in Albania”

Authors: Esmeralda HALO
Institution: University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences. Department of Chemistry.
Field of study: Applied Chemistry
Publication date: 08.07.2026
The dissertation is published in Albanian.

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Published by the University of Tirana
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SUMMARY / ABSTRACT

SUMMARY (Albanian)

Albania lies along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas with a coastline of about 450 km, where port activity has historically played and continues to play an important economic and strategic role. Port areas represent environments with high anthropogenic pressure, due to intensive maritime transport, mooring and maintenance operations of vessels, trade in goods, storage of materials, as well as the impact of surrounding urban and industrial pollution. The hydrodynamic characteristics of ports, often built in protected bays or artificial structures, favor the accumulation and persistence of pollutants in water and sediments.

This study aims to assess organic pollution and the physicochemical quality of marine waters in the main port areas of Albania. Over a three-year period (2022–2024), six sampling campaigns were carried out in the ports of Durrës and Vlorë, while in an additional campaign, water and sediment samples were analyzed from the main ports of the country, from Saranda to Shëngjin. The concentrations of priority substances were determined in the collected samples, including organochlorine pesticides (EPA 8081B), marker PCBs, 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA 525), benzene and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), as well as other organic pollutants such as BTEX, n-alkanes and chlorobenzenes. Analyses were performed using GC/ECD/FID and GC/MS techniques, while the physicochemical parameters of the waters (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, TSS, nutrients and some major ions) were analyzed to support the overall assessment of water quality.

The results show that port areas present higher levels of pollution compared to other marine environments, as a result of intensive anthropogenic activity, maritime transport, port operations and the impact of sea currents and river flows. This study represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to assess organic pollution in Albanian ports and highlights the necessity of continuous monitoring of these sensitive ecosystems, in accordance with the requirements of national and international legislation for the protection of the marine environment.

Keywords: port of Durres, port of Vlora, Albanian ports, marine pollution, GC/ECD/FID, GC/MS

ABSTRACT (English)

Albania is bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, with a coastline of about 450 km, where port activities have historically played and continue to play a key economic and strategic role. Port areas represent environments under high anthropogenic pressure due to intensive maritime transport, vessel anchoring and maintenance operations, cargo handling and storage, as well as the influence of surrounding urban and industrial activities. Moreover, the hydrodynamic characteristics of ports, often located in sheltered bays or constructed as artificial basins, favor the accumulation and persistence of pollutants in water and sediments.

This study aims to assess organic pollution and the physico-chemical quality of marine waters in the main Albanian port areas. Over a three-year period (2022–2024), six sampling campaigns were conducted in the ports of Durrës and Vlora, while an additional campaign included water and sediment sampling from the major ports along the Albanian coast, from Saranda in the south to Shëngjin in the north. The collected samples were analyzed for priority substances, including organochlorine pesticides (EPA 8081B), indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; EPA 525), benzene, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), as well as other organic pollutants such as BTEX, n-alkanes, and chlorobenzenes. Organic pollutants were determined using GC/ECD/FID and GC/MS techniques, while physico-chemical parameters of water (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, TSS, nutrients, and selected major ions) were analyzed to support the overall assessment of marine water quality.

The results show that port areas present higher levels of pollution compared to other marine environments, as a result of intensive anthropogenic activity, maritime transport, port operations, and the influence of sea currents and river flows. This study represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to assess organic pollution in Albanian ports and emphasizes the necessity of continuous monitoring of these sensitive ecosystems, in accordance with the requirements of national and international legislation for the protection of the marine environment.

Keywords: Durres port, Vlora port, Albanian port, Marine pollution, GC/ECD/FID, GC/MS