Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water sources of Ufa

Summary

The results of long-term monitoring of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations in drinking water and water sources at the three water intakes of Ufa with the use of high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection are presented. The qualitative and quantitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been investigated. The identification of possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inflow into the Ufa River was carried out with the help of the system analysis of the relative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by some typical ratios of molar concentrations of separate compounds. The prevalence of petrogenic sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inflow was found out. Studying the seasonal dynamics of their concentration in the Ufa River water showed that the maximum concentrations were observed during autumn-winter period, and minimum concentrations in summer. Comparing the results of the studies with the published data on river pollution in Europe, America, and China showed that the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Ufa River was basically low or close to the natural background. Monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the major water source of Ufa is a reasonable requirement since any deviation from the background pollution level or any changes in the qualitative composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be indicative of the increased man-induced impact on the water source and consequently of the risk of the drinking water quality deterioration.

Key words

potable water , polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , pyrogenic and petrogenic sources of hydrocarbons emission , molar concentration ratio