Impact of land-use on PAH transfer in sub-surface water as recorded by CaCO concretions in urban underground structures (Paris, France).

In densely populated urban areas, the pressure on water resources is considerable and will tend to intensify over the next decades. Preserving water resources therefore seems fundamental, but many questions remain as to the transfer of contaminants to subsurface waters in these largely sealed areas. Because of their toxicity and persistence in the environment, this work focused on the study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ubiquitous pollutants mainly produced by human activities.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon record in an urban secondary carbonate deposit over the last three centuries (Paris, France).

Preserving water resources and limiting pollution are central environmental issues in the current context of intense anthropization. Among organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly analysed as part of water quality assessments. After being emitted into the atmosphere, these persistent organic pollutants are deposited on the continental surface, where they are transported to the aquatic environment by run-off and infiltration waters.