Spatial and seasonal variation of PAHs concentration in the Spreča river

Abstract

The largest part of the river Spreča flows through the heavily populated region of Tuzla canton, and it is also area of mining-industrial zone. This study monitors the PAHs content, in the part of Spreča’s flow which is extremely exposed to these pollutants during the year of 2015. Content of PAHs in the river were analyzed on three locations: prior Modrac lake, in the lake and on the mouth of Spreča into river Bosna. Determination of PAHs in the water was performed by HPLC techniques - fluorescence detection, after liquid-liquid extraction. Eight PAHs, recommended by EU directive, have been analyzed: naphthalene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene. The highest concentration was found for naphthalene. Except naphthalene, concentration of all other PAHs was significantly higher on the mouth of Spreča than on the two previous locations. Concentration of all PAHs significantly varies during seasons and it was highest during the winter period. High level of naphthalene and fluoranthene comes from coal-mining area which is prior to Modrac lake and also from the soda drinks chemical industry further away fromthe lake. Other six PAHs mainly come from soda drimks -chemical industry.