Estimation of PAHs Fluxes via Atmospheric Deposition and Riverine Discharge into the Masan Bay, Korea

Abstract

Atmospheric deposition and riverine waters were sampled throughout a year, to estimate the loading fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the Masan Bay and its vicinity, Korea. Atmospheric deposition fluxes of total PAHs in the surveyed area varied from 62.2 to 464 μg/m2/year. Concentration of total PAHs in water samples from six rivers ranged from 34.6 to 239 ng/L. Contribution of the carcinogenic PAHs to the total PAHs occupied 38% and 50% for atmospheric deposition and river waters, respectively. Atmospheric deposition fluxes and water concentrations of PAHs were slightly low or moderate to those in locations from some countries. Correspondence analysis was used to investigate the loading characteristics of PAHs according to transport routes. Atmospheric deposition samples were corresponded to higher molecular aromatics of PAHs, while riverine water samples were associated with lower molecular weight of PAHs. The results indicate that the higher-molecular-weight PAHs can be primarily transported by atmosphere deposition and the lower-molecular-weight PAHs can be mainly contaminated by riverine discharge into the Masan Bay and its vicinity. Loadings fluxes of PAHs into the Masan Bay and its vicinity were 39.2 g/day via atmosphere and 10.3 g/day via rivers, showing that atmospheric input was about 4 times higher than riverine one. Therefore, in order to minimize the contamination burden of PAHs from terrestrial sources to the Masan Bay and its vicinity, the control and management of PAHs deriving from atmosphere will be necessary.