Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net 1680-7367 1680-7375 2 5 2002 10.5194/acpd-2-1351-2002 http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/2/1351/2002/ http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/2/1351/2002/acpd-2-1351-2002.html http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/2/1351/2002/acpd-2-1351-2002.pdf 1351 1369 2002-09-17 Atmospheric deposition of toxics onto the Seine Estuary, France: example of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons A. Motelay-Massei D. Ollivon B. Garban M. Chevreuil Laboratoire de Géologie Appliquée, UMR Sisyphe 7619, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, case 122, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France Laboratoire Hydrologie et Environnement, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, UMR Sisyphe 7619, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, case 122, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) were measured in precipitation samples on a weekly basis between March and October 2001, at four sites in the Seine Estuary (France). Mean concentrations of total PAHs (<font face="Symbol" >S</font> 14 PAHs) ranged from 38 to 141 ng L^-1. Fluoranthene, phenanthrene and pyrene were the dominant PAH compounds and were detected in each sample. The six potential carcinogenic PAHs accounted for 20 to 25% of the total PAH concentration in bulk deposition. The PAH signatures in bulk (wet and dry) deposition and surface water were also compared to investigate source/sink relationships. Seasonal patterns were observed with maximum loading occurring during the colder months of the studied period (March and April). Mean values of daily flux reported for <font face="Symbol" >S</font> 14 PAHs ranged from 108 to 267 ng m^-2 d^-1. Spatial influences were also observed, indicating both localized and long-range atmospheric source inputs (controlled by hydroclimatic parameters).