Green Analytical Strategies for Sustainable Monitoring of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Systems

Abstract

Water pollution caused by organic contaminants has become a major environmental concern due to
increasing industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities. The presence of pesticides, pharmaceuticals,
dyes, and industrial chemicals in aquatic systems poses serious risks to ecosystems and human health,
highlighting the urgent need for sustainable monitoring strategies. In this context, green analytical
chemistry has emerged as an effective approach to minimize environmental impact while maintaining
high analytical performance. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate sustainable green
analytical approaches for efficient detection of organic pollutants in water systems. Green sample
preparation techniques, including ethanol–water-based solid phase extraction (SPE), solid phase
microextraction (SPME), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), were employed to minimize
solvent consumption and reduce chemical waste. Analytical detection was performed using UV–
Visible spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas
chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to ensure accurate identification and quantification of
selected pollutants. The developed method demonstrated high sensitivity with low detection limits,
excellent recovery efficiency exceeding 90%, and strong reproducibility with minimal solvent usage
compared to conventional methods. The results confirmed significant reduction in solvent consumption
and environmental hazards while maintaining reliable analytical accuracy. Overall, the proposed green
analytical workflow provides an environmentally sustainable and efficient solution for routine
monitoring of organic pollutants in water systems and supports the advancement of eco-friendly
environmental analysis practices.