Conference on Environmental Science and Technology

Marine pollution is an increasing global environmental problem, with a wide range of adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Many analytical methods have been developed for the determination of various categories of organic and inorganic toxic pollutants, to assess seawater quality. However, their disadvantages can often include complex and time-consuming processes, use of expensive equipment, exposure to toxic reagents and solvents, non-environmentally friendly techniques. During the present study, an overview of applications of UV spectroscopy for the initial detection of marine pollutants of interest was performed as a possible simple alternative tool saving time, effort and resources. Selected compound categories, including diesel, sunscreens, olive mill wastewater components, as well as dissolved organic matter were tested by UV spectroscopy in seawater samples from the area of Mytilene, Greece. The results provide the basis for a first approach for seawater quality testing, prior to the application of more complicated methods whenever necessary.