Effect of purified sewage on the composition of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soil and vegetation

: Concentrations of benz(a)pyrene (BP) and 15 other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soil with forage plants (lucerne) irrigated by biologically purified mixed domestic and industrial (coke-chemical) sewage from collection pond did not exceed those in control soil (irrigated by relatively clean fresh water) and were lower than in nonirrigated one, which is due, probably, to PAH oxidation by soil-proper microflora activated in humid soil polluted by PAH. BP content in control and experimental samples of lucerne coincide within +/- 25% limits.