Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Snow Cover of Moscow (Case Study of the RUDN University Campus)

Abstract

The major objective of this study are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the snow cover of the RUDN-University campus. The campus is located in the south-west of Moscow, in a relatively clean zone of the city. However, the atmospheric pollution introduces a significant amount of the contaminants into this area, including PAHs. The area is affected by several anthropogenic sources, and the major highways are the largest contributor of air pollution. The presence of PAH in the snow cover is also due to these sources. The paper investigates interrelation of pollution character and transport activity mode. The pyrogenic genesis of pollution was confirmed using indicator ratios of PAH isomers. This method can demonstrate significant errors; therefore, the study investigates the informative value of the indicators. Implementation of a complex of ratios confirmed pyrogenic pollution. Due to the complexity and originality of the local conditions of scattered pollution the profiles of the prevalence of PAHs in the snow cover of the campus practically do not correspond to theoretical models. The study revealed dominant pollutants, i.e. Flu, Py, Phen, BbFlu, in contrast to earlier findings, traditionally used to describe the distribution of PAHs in media (soil, snow etc.). It draws on the specificity of migration and accumulation of PAHs, which may be due to the phase-structural transitions in the “snow-water” system, occurring during thaws and cold spells, and the specificity of pyrogenic pollution