Determination of micropollutants in solid and liquid samples from swimming pool systems

The present study investigated the occurrence of selected micropollutants including emerging contaminants (mainly pharmaceuticals and personal care products - PPCPs) in selected swimming pool systems. The study area was selected based on the lack of available information regarding the suspected contamination of swimming pools water by PPCPs. The variety and concentration of chemical compounds in these aquatic systems can be quite diversified, presenting a challenge in terms of both purification and quality control. Determination of PPCPs requires very sensitive analytical methods that make it possible to confirm the presence of tested compounds in a complex organic extract. In this field, GC-MS gas chromatography can be used. This system enables to perform Selected Ion Monitoring, which reduces the detection limits of the investigated analyte.

This paper aims at presentation of analytical methods and strategies adapted to obtain information on the composition and characteristics of water in swimming pool systems with consideration sediments occurred there. There are three types of samples that can be taken from a swimming pool installation: water from pool basin, sediment from the bottom of pool basin and washings from cleaning the filter beds in filtration systems. The individual sample preparation methodology including solid phase extraction was developed for each type of sample.