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Environmental information systems
BaP is the third most common of the priority substances detected in European waters at concentrations exceeding threshold considered to be safe, posing a risk for humans and the environment (Surface water bodies: priority substances). In this page we provide an overview of BaP in groundwater bodies, surface water bodies, and coastal waters based on voluntarily reported Waterbase - Water Quality ICM, 2023 data.
Did you know?
94% of the 6,622 sampling sites with data on BaP concentrations in groundwater collected in 2023 are unknown because their concentration is below the limit of quantification (LOQ) and 0.5% are above the threshold
More than 19,000 surface water sites equivalent to 73% of all monitored sites had concentrations above Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) in 2023
Concentrations of BaP in coastal waters were monitored only at 904 sites in 2023, though the number was almost double the number of monitoring sites in 2020
Exceedances of BaP in European waters from 2020 to 2023
These dashboards illustrate BaP concentrations and threshold exceedances across Europe from 2020 to 2023 based on voluntarily reported Waterbase - Water Quality ICM, 2023 data.
The dashboards highlight the location and magnitude of sampling sites as well as locations where measured concentrations are above the threshold. These exceedances indicate a potential environmental or health risk.
BaP in groundwater bodies
Sampling sites are displayed in the map accordingly to their chemical status based on BaP concentrations in measured in groundwater. Sites with average yearly concentrations below the threshold are marked as in good status, while those with concentrations above are marked as failing to achieve good status. The threshold used for groundwater is 0.01 µg/L, in line with the threshold use by most countries delivering the data (Groundwater metholody - WFD). Sampling sites marked as unknown are those where measured concentrations is reported as below the Limit of Quantification (LOQ). All measurements with LOQ above the threshold were removed from the dataset as well as those with any flagged concerns.
BaP in surface water bodies
Sampling sites are displayed in the map accordingly to their chemical status based on BaP concentrations in measured in lakes and rivers. Sites with yearly average concentrations below Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) are marked as in good status, while those with concentrations above EQS are marked as failing to achieve good status. The EQS used for surface water bodies is 0.00017 µg/L (Directive - 2013/39 - EN - EUR-Lex). Sampling sites marked as unknown are those where measured concentrations is reported as below the Limit of Quantification (LOQ). All measurements with LOQ above EQS were removed from the dataset as well as those with any flagged concerns.
BaP in coastal waters
Sampling sites are displayed in the map accordingly to their chemical status based on BaP concentrations in measured in coastal and transitional waters. Sites with yearly average concentrations below Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) are marked as in good status, while those with concentrations above EQS are marked as failing to achieve good status. The EQS used for surface water bodies is 0.00017 µg/L (Directive - 2013/39 - EN - EUR-Lex). Sampling sites marked as unknown are those where measured concentrations is reported as below the Limit of Quantification (LOQ). All measurements with LOQ above EQS were removed from the dataset as well as those with any flagged concerns.