Oxygen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) in urban soils of Bratislava, Slovakia: Patterns, relation to PAHs and vertical distribution

► Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) are closely associated with PAHs in all studied urban soils. ► The concentrations of OPAHs in urban soils of Bratislava are similar as in other European and North American cities. ► Concentrations of OPAHs are frequently higher than those of the corresponding parent-PAHs. ► For 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 1-naphthaldehyde, 2-biphenylcarboxaldehyde and 1,8-naphthalic anhydride there are indications for abiotic or biological production. ► The OPAHs are faster vertically transported in soils than their parent-PAHs.