Abstract
We examined each month the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in the potable municipal water supply for Harbin, in China, which draws its water from the Songhua River. In eleven samples, PAHs were detected at concentrations of 20-1,348 ng/L; the concentrations were highest in May and September. Eight or more types of PAH were detected in six samples taken in February, May, August, September, October and December. Seven types of PAH─acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene─were detected at concentrations of 20ng/L or higher.
