New method for assessing contributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from different sources into pollution of environmental objects

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) represent a class of organic compounds consisting of two or more condensed benzene rings. These compounds belong to environmental supertoxicants since they are extremely stable and are characterized by mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are largely formed due to the incom plete combustion of organic matter. Ejections from different sources are characterized by a unique PAH composition, which is called its profile, or signature. Despite the unique profile of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the print of the same source on dif ferent environmental objects may, however, be repre sented by different PAH spectra to hamper its identifi cation. Their different types are accumulated in abun dance usually in different media: water, soil, bottom sediments, and others.