The aim of presented study was to determine the influence of long-term inundation on the changes in the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Two soils (B, MS) with differentiated properties were selected for the presented study. The experiment was carried out in 5-l containers, irrigated with distilled or post-sewage water for seven days. The study samples were collected directly after the water had been drained and then after seven, 14, 28 and 50 days. In the material collected, the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was determined by means of the HPLC-UV method. The soils used for the presented experiment were characterised by differentiated PAH content levels. However, in both soils 28 days after water had been drained, a gradual increase of the PAH sum was noted. This increase was in relation to beginning of the experiment significantly higher in soil MS characterised by a lower PAH content (43% and 86%, respectively in the experiment with distilled and post-sewage water). The range of the PAH sum increase in soil B was from 28% to 38%. After the 28th day of the experiment, a decreasing trend was noted. The trend persisted until the last experimental date. Only in soil B, a decrease in the PAH up to a level close to the PAH level on the onset of the experiment was observed. In soil MS, PAH content on the last experimental date was still 25% (distilled water) and 52% (post-sewage water) higher than at the beginning of the experiment. In control soils (non-flooded), PAH content did not undergo any significant changes during the whole experimental period. In the presented studies, significant relationships between the values of some PAH content levels and Ca²⁺ ions content was noted.

The aim of the present study was the influence of various methods of long-term soil utilisation on the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in selected silty soils. Four soils were selected for the present studies, i.e.: Eutric Fluvisol originating from silty formations, Haplic Phaeozem developed from loess, Haplic Luvisol (non-uniform) developed from silt, Haplic Luvisol developed from loess. Five study sites were chosen, i.e.: apple orchards, hop gardens, fields, grasslands and natural woodland ecosystems. Samples were collected from the depth of 0-10 cm. In the samples the content of 16 PAHs was determined by means of the HPLC-UV method. The total PAHs content was at a low level. Depending on the soil and object type, the total PAHs content ranged from 72.5 to 764.0 μg·kg-¹. The pollutant level determined together with composition of individual PAHs suggested a limited anthropogenic influence relating mainly to pyrolytic processes. The total PAH content as well as the content of individual PAHs depended on agricultural land use and management. It has been shown that PAH level was influenced by environmental conditions specific for a given type of land use. In the soils in which organic carbon content differed only slightly among locations, a higher influence of the soil utilisation method on the content of individual PAHs was observed.

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in particulate matter (PM10) collected in a suburban area with industrial and vehicular emissions in the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro City (Brazil). A total of 22 samples were collected between March and August 2005 by means of a high volume PM10 sampler. The particulate matter contained in the filters was extracted ultrasonically with dichloromethane. The extracts were later analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The individual concentrations of PAHs ranged between the detection limit and 0.386 ng m-³. The PAHs concentrations observed in this study were towards the lowest end of the range of values reported for other European locations and also lower than values obtained for South America. PAHs concentrations and molecular ratios showed that light cars seem to be the main contributors to PM10 emissions, but diesel vehicles are clearly minor emission sources and industrial contributions should not be disregarded until more data are obtained.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be atmospheric pollutants and well-known human carcinogens. This study analyzes the pollution scenarios of PAHs in the aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan. We examined the characteristics, the influences of meteorological conditions, the distribution and seasonal variation of PAHs in aerosol samples collected from June 2000 to May 2001. The concentration of PAHs in the aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima was ranging from 11.8 to 157.5 μg/g with a mean concentration of 63.4 μg/g. Results showed that there is positive correlation between aerosol PAH concentrations and ambient temperature but a relatively little correlation with solar radiation. Seasonal variation was observed with a higher concentration during winter and lower concentration during summer. Apart from that, principal component analysis and molecular diagnostic ratios were also used to characterize and identify possible PAHs emission sources. Results obtained strongly suggested that vehicular emissions appeared to be the major source of aerosol PAHs in this study although other sources do have some degree of influence.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the urban atmosphere. In particular, atmospheric pollution has increasingly become severe in China due to its rapid urbanization and industrialization. In recent years, a few studies have presented information about POPs (such as PAHs, PCBs, OCPs) in aerosols at a molecular level in a limited number of cities such as Beijing, Qingdao and Guangzhou, as well as Hong Kong. Whereas, these cities are located in northern and southern China, respectively, where characteristics of atmospheric pollution might be different from those in the eastern cities, such as Shanghai. Atmospheric particle pollution is a persistent problem in Shanghai, a typical metropolis of China, which has several huge industrial regions. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present state, properties and sources of PAHs pollution in Shanghai, PM₁₀ samples were collected at Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFP), Chlor-Alkali Chemical factory (CAC) and Coking and Chemical factory (CCF) in an industrial area, during the period, November 2004-September 2005. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were analyzed using the HPLC with UV visible detector. The results showed that the mean value of total PAHs in the industrial area was 64.85 ng m-³; 3-ring PAHs were found at low levels, while 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs were found at high levels. The levels of BaP were 3.07 and 7.16 ng m-³ at Chlor-Alkali Chemistry Factory and Coking and Chemistry Factory sites, respectively. PAHs levels exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with the highest level in autumn and the lowest in summer. The major source of PAHs at the industrial area was fossil fuel combustion, coal-burning, industrial furnaces including others. There was a very significant correlation of PAHs levels between CCF and CAC (R ² = 0.91). The average concentration of BaP in the industrial area during the sampling period was 5.95 ng m-³. It could be concluded the local population appears to be exposed to significantly high cancer risk (exceeding 2 ng m-³ in autumn and winter) as compared to the population of other areas.

Background, Aim and Scope Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are important environmental contaminants which may lead to increased levels of neoplastic aberrations or tumours in fish liver. Therefore, monitoring of PAH and their effects are part of several international environmental programmes. The aim of the present field study was to investigate the concentrations of the PAH metabolites in fish bile, to elucidate spatial, seasonal and species differences as well as to discuss different strategies of normalisation with regard to environmental monitoring. Materials and Methods: PAH metabolites were determined in the bile fluid of dab (Limanda limanda) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) caught in the North Sea and Baltic Sea between 1997 and 2004. After enzymatic deconjugation, two metabolites were determined by means of HPLC. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification were calculated. The accuracy of the method was tested with a standard reference material. Results were referred to bile volume as well as to biliverdin. Results: The main metabolite, 1-hydroxypyrene, was determined in concentrations from <0.7 to 838 ng/ml in bile of dab (Limanda limanda) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) caught between 1997 and 2004. The values for 1-hydroxyphenanthrene in fish bile were considerably lower (<0.4 - 87 ng/ml). Significant differences in the 1-hydroxypyrene levels were found between summer and winter surveys as well as between the sampling sites in the data set from 2004 (383 dabs and 62 flounders): Highest levels of PAH contamination were found in dab from the German Bight and in flounder from the Baltic Sea. Discussion: Spatial differences in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations between North Sea and Baltic Sea were discussed, as well as differences in relation to season, sex and species. Three parameters of normalisation (biliary protein, biliverdin and bile pigments) were discussed. Biliverdin was identified as a suitable parameter for the normalisation of PAH metabolites in field samples. Conclusions: Spatial differences in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations of dab demonstrate the usefulness of PAH metabolites in fish bile as a monitoring parameter in marine regions. Significant differences in 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations were found between summer and winter sampling campaigns. This may be linked to an annual cycle of 1-hydroxyprene in dab. It is also possible that bile synthesis/release in dab differs between the seasons. There is no indication for a time trend from 1997 to 2004. Recommendations and Perspectives: It is recommended to relate PAH metabolites in fish bile to biliverdin concentrations. Although the concentrations are low in offshore regions and bile volumes are small, the method presented here allows one to measure PAH metabolites on an individual level which is a crucial prerequisite for meaningful monitoring studies.