Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in runoff from different land use at Amman Zarqa Basin-Jordan

Abstract

A study of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in stormwater runoff was conducted at seven locations in semi-arid Amman Zarqa Basin (AZB) for two winter seasons during 25 October 2012 to 31 May 2014. The selected sites are representing residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas. The concentrations of total PAH at all sites were in the range of 0.18–11.03 ppb. The highest average total concentration of PAHs of the runoff samples was found at industrial area (2.42 ppb), while the lowest concentrations was found at residential area (1.66 ppb). Average Daily Traffic was not found to be correlated to total PAHs carried by stormwater runoff from studied land uses (All sites). Isomer pair ratios and individual compound ratios are suggesting that the main source of PAHs in AZB catchment is from a pyrolytic origin especially at commercial, residential, and agriculture area, while industrial area is mainly polluted by PAHs with petrogenic origin. This study is providing a reliable data on PAHs loads carried by storm water runoff from different land uses.