Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soils of Moscow

Abstract

The contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples taken in the city of Moscow have been determined. A sixfold excess of the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for benzo[a]pyrene has been found in 66% of the studied samples; an excess of the European standard for benzo[a]pyrene has been observed in 31% of the samples. The found weight fraction of benzo[a]pyrene in soil samples varies in the range of 10–740 μg/kg. The content of the ecotoxicant in the soil increases from west to east. The total concentrations of 10 indicative PAH compounds in the soils of Moscow are usually lower than the European standard. An excess of the European standard by 2–6 times has been noted in the Southeastern, Eastern, and Central administrative districts of Moscow, with separate sites of high contamination up to 6118 μg/kg.