| The presence and geochemical behaviour of herbicides were investigated in estuarine and marine waters of the French coasts (Seine, Charente, Gironde estuaries and Rhône delta). These organic contaminants were quantified by capillary Gas Chromatography (GC) using Nitrogen-Phosphorus Detecter and identified by GCIMS (Mass Spectrometry). A liquid-solid extraction method using XAD-2 resins was developed, allowing the analysis of both chloro-triazines and their degradation products in the nanogram per litre (ng.l-1) detection range. Different types of chemicals were identified in the estuarine and coastal waters: triazine, amide and acetanilide herbicides. These compounds are mainly present in the water phase, with less than 1% associated with particulate... |
