Correlations between physicochemical properties of PAHs and their distribution in soil, moss and reindeer dung at Ny-Ålesund of the Arctic

Abstract

Concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil, moss and reindeer dung collected at Ny-Ålesund of the Arctic were measured to investigate their accumulation trends and distribution in the three compartments. Compared with the other regions, the proportions of 2 + 3 ring PAHs to the total PAHs were higher, whereas the proportions of 5 + 6 ring PAHs were lower in the three compartments at Ny-Ålesund. Significant log/log-linear relationship was observed between the sub-cooled liquid vapor pressure ( p L ° ) and the soil/moss quotient ( Q SM). The relation was similar to the relationship between the gas/particle partition coefficient ( K P) and p L ° of PAHs, implying Q SM would be a “mirror image” of K P. Excellent log/log-linear relationships were observed between Q SM and K OA as well as between the moss/dung quotient ( Q MD) and K OW. The results presented here indicate the physicochemical properties are suitable for characterizing the distribution of PAHs in soil, moss and reindeer dung.