Benzo[a]pyrene

B[a]P, B(a)p; formula: C20H12; CAS Registry Number: 50-32-8
Structure of benzo[a]pyrene
Source: PubChem
Identifier: CID 2336
URL: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2336#section=2D-Structure

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with five connected six-membered rings

Benzo[a]pyrene occurs in fossil fuels and is a product of incomplete combustion of organic material. It is found, e.g., in automobile and industrial exhausts, in tobacco smoke and charbroiled meat.

Its volatility is low and in the atmosphere it is mostly particle bound. It enters soils and waters through dry and wet deposition.

Benzo[a]pyrene is toxic and has a high potential for bioaccumulation. In animal experiments it is carcinogenic and is suspected to be carcinogenic also to humans. Furthermore, it is classified as mutagenic, teratogenic and reproductive toxic.

Benzo[a]pyrene is one of 16 PAHs which were included in the U.S. EPA-list of Priority Pollutants and is on the EU-list of PAH recommended for monitoring.
It is frequently used as indicator for PAH-contamination.

Specimen

  • Common mussel species as invasive animal in rivers and lakes with high information level for water pollution
  • Fine insoluble mineral or organic particles in the water phase
  • One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea
  • A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
  • A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
  • A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period.
  • As the most dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, it plays a significant role in most nearly natural and also anthropogenically influenced forest ecosystems up to an altitude of 1100 m.
  • As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
  • As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
  • Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.

Sampling area

Sampling period

1985 - 2023