Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in the Environment

MSC-E Technical Note 9/2002

E.Mantseva, A.Malanichev, N.Vulykh

ABSTRACT

Pollution of the atmosphere and other environmental compartments by persistent organic pollutants (POP) in many respects is defined by their capability to airborne transport over long distances. To POP belong compounds of high toxicity for living organisms, volatility, persistence in the environment and lipophily, on which depends the extent of their accumulation in biota. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) most intensively studied are among POPs. They are a class of high molecular organic compounds consisting of 3 and more fused benzene rings as well as they may involve five-membered carbon or heteroaromatic rings. This class of compounds includes many hundreds of substances with different physical-chemical properties. Some of these compounds are classified by IARC as probable or possible carcinogens for man. Besides many PAH and their metabolites demonstrate mutagenic and teratogenic activity.

The work was aimed at an analytical review of main emission sources, measurement data and physical-chemical properties of 4 indicator PAH.

PAH emissions to the environment take place from numerous anthropogenic and natural sources. Thermal processes connected with fossil fuel combustion, processing of organic raw materials and wood preservation, cause almost all anthropogenic emissions. The review of measurement data showed that 4 indicator PAH are found almost in all natural objects - in the atmospheric air, precipitation, natural waters, sediments, soils, vegetation and in some species of animals. The collected data demonstrate that PAH are widespread in different regions of the Northern Hemisphere. As follows from measurement data the presence of 4 indicator PAH in media of remote regions testifies to their capacity to long-range airborne transport. Their concentrations increase in regions with active economic activity in comparison with those in background territories.

Basic differences in the behaviour of persistent organic pollutants in the environment are due to peculiarities of their physical-chemical properties. Available literature data on physical-chemical properties of 4 indicator PAH were used for the parameterization of main processes included to the MSCE-POP model.