Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the aquatic ecosystems of Soweto/Lenasia Report to the WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION by Wihan Pheiffer1, Rialet Pieters1, Bettina Genthe2, Laura Quinn3, Henk Bouwman1 & Nico Smit1 1North-West University 2Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 3National Metrology Institute of South Africa WRC Report No. 2242/1/16 ISBN 978-1-4312-0801-2 June 2016 Obtainable from Water Research Commission Private Bag X03 Gezina, 0031
[email protected] or download from www.wrc.org.za DISCLAIMER This report has been reviewed by the Water Research Commission (WRC) and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the WRC, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. © Water Research Commission ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) consist of fused benzene rings and the congeners have varying numbers of benzene rings, usually between two and six. They have a widespread distribution due to their formation by incomplete combustion of organic materials and are continuously released into the environment making them ever-present. The US EPA has earmarked 16 congeners that must be monitored and controlled because of their proven harmful effects on humans and wildlife. Anthropogenic activities largely increase the occurrence of these pollutants in the environment. A measurable amount of these PAHs are expected to find their way into aquatic ecosystems. RATIONALE In a previous study completed for the Water Research Commission (Project no K5/1561) on persistent organic pollutants in freshwater sites throughout the entire country, the PAHs had the highest levels of all of the organic pollutants analysed for.