PAH measurements in air and moss around selected industrial sites in Norway 2015

Abstract

On request from the Norwegian Environment Agency a pilot study of atmospheric deposition of PAH around industrial enterprises in Norway has been carried out. The participation was voluntary and 10 industries located at 10 different sites financed their own participation. The survey is based on analysis of samples of naturally growing moss collected around the enterprises during the summer of 2015. In addition, passive air samplers for collection of volatile PAH were placed around 6 of the participating enterprises. Generally, the PAH level determined in moss collected around industrial sites were considerably higher than the PAH level found in moss collected at background sites. The levels of PAHs found in the air samples was low and often at the same level as found at the closest background site, for all out of two sites, i.e. Sunndal and Kristiansand. There is no clear indication that the industry is the only source to the levels of PAHs in moss. Hence, results from this pilot study, illustrates that moss and air samples together provide a more comprehensive information regarding the spatial distribution of PAH around the industrial sites.