Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a large group of
organic compounds that make constant threat to the environment. Their
contents from natural sources are low. The processes of incomplete organic
fuel combustion are the main sources of PAHs. In Upper Silesia (Poland),
large amounts of PAHs are emitted into the air as a result of coal
combustion in home furnaces and liquid fuel burning in combustion engines
(low emission). PAHs get into surface water because of the surface runoff
and point source wastewater discharges from certain industries. The
following study presents PAHs concentrations in raw municipal wastewater.
The tests were performed out of the heating season. The samples were
collected from the combined sewer system. The analyses of PAHs were
carried out with gas chromatography coupled with a mass detector (GC-MS).
The concentrations of 16 PAHs sum (EPA list) ranged between 1.025 and
3.056 μg/L. Phenanthrene dominated in nearly all the analysed samples. The
contents of PAHs, which are priority hazardous substances according to the
directive, were high in the analysed samples. The obtained results and the
analysis of diagnostic ratios for the emissions of PAHs into the air
helped to reach the conclusion that traffic emissions were the main source
of PAHs in the examined wastewater.
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