Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the bulk precipitation and surface waters of Northern Greece

Bulk (wet and dry) precipitation and surface water sampling was undertaken in the main plain of central Macedonia in Northern Greece. Fourteen polycyc lic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) included in the US EPA's priority pollutan t list were analysed. The concentrations determined in bulk precipitation w ere in general within the range of values worldwide reported. Concentration s were highest in the cold months. Deposition fluxes of PAHs were of the sa me order of magnitude as reported data. The greatest values were found when high concentrations of PAHs in precipitation coincided with large precipit ation amounts. The concentrations of PAHs in surface waters (main rivers: t ributaries, ditches, etc) were in general lower than those in bulk precipit ation, and among the lowest reported for European rivers, excepting Np and Ph. Bulk deposition and domestic effluents are suggested as being the main PAH sources into surface waters. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.