Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP. A revision for further review has not been submitted.
Atmospheric deposition of toxics onto the Seine Estuary, France: example of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
A. Motelay-Massei,D. Ollivon,B. Garban,and M. Chevreuil
Abstract. 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 (S 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 S 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).
Received: 23 May 2002 – Discussion started: 17 Sep 2002
Laboratoire de Géologie Appliquée, UMR Sisyphe 7619, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, case 122, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
D. Ollivon
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
B. Garban
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
M. Chevreuil
Laboratoire de Géologie Appliquée, UMR Sisyphe 7619, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, case 122, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France