| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to determine if any amount of PAH (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) was leaching from the paved road surface of road 805 in Jokkmokk municipality. The study was also meant to determine which factors affected the leaching of PAH in the studied area.The surveyed road was divided into eight sections. Groundwater pipes were inserted into drilled holes, three in each section. Samples from soil, water and asphalt were collected from each section and analyzed for its content of PAH. The groundwater level was measured before each sampling. Some soil samples were analyzed for TOC (total organic carbon) and all the water samples for DOC (dissolved organic carbon). The results showed that PAH was leaching in very different amounts. There was a similarity in the amount of coal tar in the road surface and the amount of PAH in most sections. Although in one section the asphalt sample showed low amount of coal tar but high amount of PAH in the soil- and water samples. This anomaly could not be explained - the assumption was that the sampling had been incorrectly handled. The pollution in the surveyed area is assumed to be caused by the road surface and tire wear. Further studies are necessary to determine with certainty how PAH is leaching in different conditions and with different road pavements.
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