Characterization and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in river bank soils.
Elevated PAH concentrations were detected in bank soils along the Mosel and Saar Rivers in Germany. Information on the identification of PAH sources in this area however remains unclear. This study was able to characterize the PAH sources by application of several approaches, including consideration of the distribution patterns of 45 PAHs (including 16 EPA PAHs and some alkyl PAHs), specific PAH ratios, distribution patterns of n-alkanes and principal component analysis (PCA). In addition, the efficiency of the tested approaches was assessed. The results from the application of the various source identification methods showed that pyrogenic PAHs dominate soil samples collected upstream of the confluence of the Mosel and Saar Rivers, and petrogenic and pyrogenic PAHs dominate samples downstream of the confluence. Based on the analysis of reference materials and organic petrography, the petrogenic input was found to be dominated by coal particles. More detailed information on the petrogenic sources was provided by the n-alkane analyses. The current study concludes that to accurately determine the origin of PAHs, several identification methods must be applied.
Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Institute of Geosciences, Becherweg 21, D-55099 Mainz, Germany; Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), D-56068 Koblenz, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Germany.
Carmen
C
Pies
Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), D-56068 Koblenz, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Germany.
Burkhard
B
Hoffmann
Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), D-56068 Koblenz, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Germany.
Jelena
J
Petrowsky
University of Vienna, Department of Environmental Geosciences, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Yi
Y
Yang
Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), D-56068 Koblenz, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Germany.
Thomas A
TA
Ternes
University of Vienna, Department of Environmental Geosciences, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: thilo.hofmann@univie.ac.at.
Thilo
T
Hofmann
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005843:Geography; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D005858:Germany; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D045483:Rivers; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical