Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in snow cover near fuel and energy enterprises of the Vorkuta city

Abstract

The paper deals with the composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in snow cover near the city of Vorkuta (Komi Republic, Russia) in the impact zone of the fuel and energy complex. It includes the results on background aero technogenic pollution levels of Vorkuta and its suburbs for subsequent ecological monitoring and on precipitation areas of different PAH fractions within the impact zones of combined heat-and-power plants, the central water boiler plant, and the territory of Vorkuta. “Light” (easily mobile) PAHs are present at almost any test site and attain extreme values in the impact zones of heat-and-power plant 1, heat-and-power plant 2, the central water boiler plant, and the territory of Vorkuta. They are transported at large distances because of high volatility. In addition, light PAHs are transported with air aerosols as they get adsorbed on fine dust particles. “Heavy” PAHs are present on the territory of the city and in the impact zones of the both energy-and-power plants with local pollution extremes from heat-and-power plant 2 at distances of 0.5, 3.0, 11.2 km but are not transported outside 11.2 km. There are interlinks between accumulation of PAHs and other organic and inorganic pollutants. Concerning analyses of PAHs from snow cover, there exist certain territorial groups which allow for understanding pollution sources (fuel and energy complex, auto transport, coal mining). Indicating ratios of PAHs in snow cover of Vorkuta evidence their pyrogenic genesis.