Monitoring of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) in Surface Water of the Hungarian Upper Section of the Danube River

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water of the Hungarian upper section of the Danube River in the period of 2007-2010. A total of 77 water samples were collected from the sampling sites located at Rajka, Medve and Komárom (1848, 1806 and 1766 river km) under the authority of the Inspectorate for Environment, Nature and Water of the North Transdanubian Region designated by the Hungarian National Monitoring Programme. Sixteen PAHs identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as priority pollutants were monitored. Concentrations of total 16 PAHs (∑PAHs) ranged from 25 to 357 ng⋅L-1 with the mean value of 98.27 ± 58.48 ng⋅L-1. The low and medium molecular weight PAHs (2-3 and 4 ring) ranged from below method detection limit (<1) to 136 ng⋅L-1 while high molecular weight PAHs (5-6 ring) were present at much lower concentrations (<1-25 ng⋅L-1). The 2-3-ring PAHs contributed to about 64% while 4-6-ring PAHs accounted for 36% of the ∑PAHs. The dominant species are naphthalene and phenanthrene in the surface water. Concentration ratios of specific PAH compounds including anthracene/(anthracene+phenanthrene) and fluoranthene/(fluoranthene+pyrene) were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAH contamination. The levels of ∑PAHs determined in our study were compared with other sections of the Danube and other regions of the world.

Monitoring of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water of Shatt Al-Hilla River

“…The both compounds are consisting of three fused aromatic rings. that confirm the work of Nagy et al 14 .…”

“…Other advantages of solid phase extraction such as reduction in volume of solvents used, possibility of automation (by online coupling with HPLC or GC) and simplicity of operation 13 . Atmospheric deposition considered an important input of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface waters 14 . Low molecular weight of PAHs (two and three rings) occurs in the atmosphere in the vapor phase whereas five rings of PAHs are bound to particles.…”

Seasonal distribution, source identification, health and eco-toxicological risk assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediment from the Danube River in Hungary

“…The ∑PAHs concentrations in the water samples in all seasons (ranges from the lowest of 224.85 in summer to the highest of 365.87 ng/L in winter) are higher than those found in the Danube River and tributaries (67-96 ng/L) from the territory of Hungary [28,29], Danube River (16-133 ng/L) [30], Danube River measurements ( 15.9 to 53.2 ng/L) [32]. Contrarily, these concentrations are lower than those found in the Raba River (the largest Danube tributary in Hungary), with a range between 41-437 ng/L [27].…”

“…The total concentration of PAHs in water was found to vary from 16 to 133 ng/L, and the concentration in sediments varied in the range of 118 and 283 ng/g. Comparing the ndings from the long-term research by Nagy, et al [29] over the years, it can be noticed that concentrations of PAHs in water and sediment decreased dramatically. Moving to the second part of the PAHs level examination in the Danube River which was in the capital city, Visca, et al [31] evaluated the contamination in terms of PAHs level in the Danube River (only water samples) passing through Budapest with three locations inside the city.…”

Determination of Benzo(a)pyrene in Surface Water of Shatt Al-Hilla River, Iraq

“…Other advantages of solid phase extraction such as reduction in the amount of solvents used, possibility of automatically extraction (by online coupling with GC or HPLC) and simplicity of operation 16 . Atmospheric deposition in surface water is considered to be an important input of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 17 . Low molecular weight (LMW) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that consist of two and three rings are occur in the Asian Journal of Chemistry; Vol.…”