Environmental evaluation of persistent organic pollutants in Fierza Lake, Albania

This study analyzed persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in water, sediment and fish from Fierza Lake, Albania, using GC-MS/MS. Total PCBs ranged from below detection limits (MDL) to 4.372 ± 0.957 μg/L in water, 4.217 ± 0.968 μg/kg in sediment and 5.849 ± 0.953 μg/kg in fish. PAH levels varied from < MDL to 0.195 ± 0.061 μg/L in water, 0.203 ± 0.067 μg/kg in sediment and 0.227 ± 0.072 μg/kg in fish. OCP concentrations ranged from < MDL to 3.626 ± 1.058 μg/L in water, 3.032 ± 0.724 μg/kg in sediment and 3.558 ± 1.108 μg/kg in fish. Regular monitoring is essential to assess potential environmental risks and support effective lake management.