Dynamics of changes in the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in selected Polish surface water

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents results of research on the dynamics of changes in the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in selected lotic water bodies. Samples were collected in four time frames. The research involved surface water samples collected from three rivers in Poland: the Liwiec, the Muchawka and the Bug. The largest of them is the Bug River, which comprises the Liwiec River. The Liwiec River, in turn, encompasses the Muchawka River. The research was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest mean total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration of 184.4 ± 58.3 ng dm−3 was obtained in January in water samples collected from the Bug River, while the lowest concentration was recorded in September in water collected from the Muchawka River and was 46.5 ± 18.1 ng dm−3. The obtained values do not exceed the permissible limits for surface water used as a source of drinking water for human consumption in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of 29 August 2019.