[en] The hypothesis that observed petroleum aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in an aqueous system are equal to the sum of the organic phase and the soluble phase molar concentrations was examined. Raoult's law was used to estimate the soluble phase molar concentrations. The organic phase concentrations were proportional to the PAH mole fraction in the oil. The experiment involved initially loading a batch laboratory mixing vessel with a scalable mixing energy at various oil layer thicknesses corresponding to oil surface loadings. The vessel was then agitated at a constant mean shear rate. Periodical total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) samples were taken in order to estimate the entrainment rate as a function of initial oil layer thickness. In-situ measurements of TPH concentrations were performed with the use of a laser scattering instrument while ex-situ measurements were effected using gravimetric analysis. Additional samples were analyzed for PAH concentration at a steady state TPH concentration using gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis. The results obtained were in agreement with a first order kinetic model (TPH concentrations increased over time). It was noted that in general, the first order rate constant and steady state concentration increased with increased oil loading and increased mean shear rates. There was good correlation between the measurements and the concentrations predicted using the hypothesized model. 8 refs., 3 tabs., 2 figs