[Distribution of benzo(a)pyrene in the water-bottom ground system]

A considerable accumulation of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in the bottom ground (approx. 10,000 times that in the water) threatens with secondary pollution of water reservoirs with this compound. Laboratory experiments were carried out to establish the main regularities of BP distribution in the water-bottom ground system. It was shown that, besides BP degradation, BP sorption in the bottom ground plays an important role in this system. Under normal environmental conditions, the bottom ground should not become a source of secondary pollution.