Triazines in the Baltic and North Sea

A new analytical approach is presented that allows quantification of triazines in sea-water at ng I −1 (ppt)-levels by fluid-fluid extraction and subsequent GC-AFID detection. Limits of quantifications and recovery rates are reported. The concentrations of atrazine, simazine and terbuthylazine in the German Bight range from 1 ng I −1 to 1100 ng I −1, while in the western Baltic Sea values between 1 ng I −1 and 13 ng I −1 are found. These concentration values imply that the Elbe estuary and the German Bight north of the Elbe estuary along the German coast must be regarded as highly contaminated.