2025· Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal for the Tropics· Vol 22, pp. 1-8· 0 citations
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of ubiquitous organic compounds generated from a wide range of natural and anthropogenic activities. The study assessed the concentrations of PAHs in soils around automobile workshops in six towns in Delta State (Asaba, Ughelli, Agbor, Effurun, Kwale and Bomadi). Soil samples were collected from four (4) automobile workshops in each town. The PAHs in the samples were extracted with dichloromethane through solid phase extraction and quantified using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry under optimum oven conditions. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. The ranges of the mean concentrations of the PAHs from the results obtained were Naphthalene - <0.001 to 0.008±0.006 mg/kg; Acenaphthalene - <0.001 to 0.007±0.005 mg/kg; Acenaphthene - <0.001 to 0.003±0.003 mg/kg; Florene - <0.001 to 0.008±0.003 mg/kg; Phenanthrene - <0.001 to 0.030±0.012 mg/kg; Anthracene - <0.001to 0.056±0.033 mg/kg; Fluoranthene - <0.001 to 0.003±0.002 mg/kg; Pyrene - <0.001 to 0.125±0.125 mg/kg; Benzo(a)anthracene - <0.001 to 0.008±0.005 mg/kg; Crysene - <0.001 to 0.001±0.001 mg/kg; Benzo(b)fluoranthrene - <0.001 to 0.003±0.002 mg/kg; Benzo(a)pyrene - <0.001 to 0.006±0.003 mg/kg; and Benzo(k)fluoranthrene - <0.001 to 0.002±0.002 mg/kg. Indeno (1,2,3) perylene, Dibenzo (a,h) anthracene and Benzo (g,h,i) perylene were not detected in any of the samples. The concentrations were within permissible limits recommended by the World Health Organisation. Routine monitoring and mitigation of pollution was recommended to protect the environment and humans from the effects PAHs pollution in the study area.
The open burning system of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal releases varying concentrations of emissions into the atmosphere. One of such, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere have been documented to be a threat to humans. This study assessed the concentration of the ambient air PAHs in a MSW dumpsite at Egbedi, Osun State. A polyurethane foam (PUF) passive sampler was installed in 10 locations for 28 days to trap PAHs. The PAH results were subjected to a toxicity equivalence (TEQ), sources were identified by employing the existing diagnostic ratios, and inhalation dosage was investigated using the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Assessment (ELCR). The summation of the carcinogenic PAHs and the highest toxicity equivalence for rain and dry seasons were 0.241 µg/m3 and 0.369 µg/m3, and 0.070 and 0.110, respectively. The analysis revealed that the PAHs were mainly from the combustion of MSW. The ELCR values were (9.1 × 10–4) and (5.8 × 10–4), which were above the acceptable carcinogenic risk level of 1.0 × 10–6. The concentration of PAHs released is at a carcinogenic level and the TEQ and diagnostic ratio show that the emission source is from certain wastes. The PCA score plot showed a single cluster that was close to the center, indicating that the burning of MSW was the only source of emissions from the study location that added to the majority of the PAHs in the surrounding atmosphere. There is an urgent need to develop the dumpsite into a standard landfill.
O. Fadipe, Saheed Adekunle Adewale, O. B. Okedere et al.· Discover Environment· 0 citations
This study aimed to determine and evaluate the distribution and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total organic carbon (TOC), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) in selected industrial soils from several facilities within the Maysan Refinery and in soils collected from urban areas surrounding the refinery in southern Iraq. Ten soil samples were collected from a depth of 15 cm. PAH concentrations were determined using GC–MS analysis, while extraction was performed using a Soxhlet apparatus. TOC values were calculated according to the Walkley and Black method. The analyses showed variations in the concentrations of hydrocarbon compounds among the samples. The highest concentration of PAHs was recorded inside the Maysan Refinery, particularly in Sample 3 collected near the oil tanks, where the total concentration reached 10.73093 ppm. This high concentration of aromatic compounds was attributed to the presence of carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons, especially Acenaphthylene, which showed a significant concentration of 4.2959 ppm, indicating potential environmental contamination in the refinery soils. In contrast, the lowest total concentration of aromatic compounds was approximately 0.004911 ppm in Sample 7, collected near the refinery garage. Chemical analyses revealed that TOC concentrations varied among the samples. The highest TOC value was recorded near the oil pumps at approximately 8.59%, whereas the lowest value was observed in agricultural land outside the refinery at approximately 1.09%. These variations were attributed to differences in pollutant distribution and the locations of oil spills. In general, the highest pollutant levels were recorded near the oil tanks, and soil type had a significant effect on the distribution of hydrocarbon concentrations. These hydrocarbons contained carcinogenic pollutants such as Acenaphthylene, whereas the agricultural soils were free from such contaminants.
M. M. Khalaf, Iqbal Kareem, M. Mahdi et al.· Basrah journal of science· 0 citations
Soils around petrol filling stations are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from fuel spillage, storage tank leakage, and incomplete combustion of petroleum products. This study assessed the levels, distribution, sources and health risk of the 16 USEPA priority PAHs in soils around petrol filling stations in Kogi Central (Zone 1: Ajaokuta, Okene) and Kogi West (Zone 2: Obajana, Lokoja), Kogi State, Nigeria. Twelve soil samples from filling stations and four controls were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Surrogate (o-terphenyl) recoveries ranged from 94.0 to 101.6%. Total PAH (Σ16PAHs) concentrations ranged from 0.540 to 5.90 µg/kg, with mean values of 2.55 µg/kg in Zone 1 and 3.45 µg/kg in Zone 2 (combined mean 3.00 µg/kg). A two-sample t-test showed significantly higher PAH concentrations at filling stations than controls (t = -2.30, p = 0.038), with no significant difference among the four towns (p = 0.094). Low molecular weight (2-3 ring) PAHs dominated the distribution (65.7%), followed by 4-ring (30.2%) and 5-6 ring PAHs (4.12%). All individual and total PAH concentrations were below the Dutch maximum permissible concentrations, indicating unpolluted soils. Diagnostic ratios (LMW/HMW = 1.91; Ant/(Ant+Phe) = 0.77; Flt/(Flt+Pyr) = 0.90; BaA/(BaA+Chr) = 0.68) revealed a predominantly pyrolytic origin for the PAHs, with a minor petrogenic contribution. The mean benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration (BaPeq) was 0.0595 µg/kg, far below the 600 µg/kg Canadian soil quality guideline, denoting low carcinogenic potential. The results supply baseline data for PAH monitoring in the study area and complement previously published data for Kogi East.
J. A. Kadili, Godwin John, I. S. Eneji et al.· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
This study evaluated the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil, water, and edible plants within cashew nut processing clusters in Enugu, Nigeria. Following liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extractions, the concentration of sixteen PAHs congeners were determined using gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC‐FID). To predict the potential sources of these PAHs, a diagnostic ratio guide was employed and principal component analysis was performed. Mutagenic equivalent concentration, human health risk assessment, and ecological risk assessment were performed. The identified PAHs had concentration range: 786.31–2589.46 µg/kg in soil, 33.78–5476.37 µg/L in water, and 561.47–3047.84 µg/kg in vegetables. Except for one location, the vegetables had higher levels of low molecular weight PAHs, while high molecular weight PAHs were more prevalent in the water. The results showed that the studied location has a fair amount of PAH pollution, mostly from pyrogenic sources though the source apportionment models predicted multi‐sources. The ecological risk assessment indicated acenaphthene to be the most contributing contaminant while the health risk evaluations indicated that consumers of water and vegetables from this area may have risk for non‐carcinogenic health problems. There were substantial mutagenic equivalent quantities, and BaP metabolites were probably responsible. The study reveals that inefficient burning of biomass and fossil fuels has resulted in significant levels of PAH contamination in the surrounding cashew nut processing clusters, and these activities should be controlled.
Edidiong S. Akwaowo, H. Abugu, J. Ihedioha· CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water· 0 citations
The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is highly vulnerable to environmental pollution due to extensive
oil exploration and industrial activities, resulting in the contamination of aquatic ecosystems with
heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study assessed the
concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs in surface water and sediments of the Khana LGA,
Rivers, Rivers State, to evaluate potential ecological and human health risks. Surface water and
sediment samples were collected from selected sampling stations within rivers in Zaakpon, Kaani,
and Bane communities in Gikana LGA and analyzed using standard physicochemical and
spectroscopic techniques, including Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for heavy metals and
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for PAHs. Results indicated that the mean
concentrations of heavy metals in surface water were Pb (0.285 ± 0.019 mg/L), Cd (0.013 ± 0.004
mg/L), Cr (0.044 ± 0.005 mg/L), and Fe (1.894 ± 0.196 mg/L), with several exceeding WHO and
NSDWQ limits. Sediment samples exhibited higher metal accumulation, with Cu (14.771 ± 1.074
mg/kg), Pb (29.279 ± 3.161 mg/kg), Fe (1826.925 ± 10.798 mg/kg), and Zn (136.356 ± 6.317
mg/kg), indicating sediments act as long-term sinks for metal pollutants. For PAHs, total
concentrations in water ranged from 0.167 to 1.256 mg/L (mean: 0.477 ± 0.075 mg/L), with
carcinogenic PAHs (∑cPAHs) at 0.121 ± 0.024 mg/L, exceeding WHO and USEPA guidelines.
Sediment PAH concentrations were substantially higher, ranging from 6.994 to 20.178 mg/kg
(mean: 11.866 ± 1.274 mg/kg), with both low and high molecular weight PAHs present, reflecting
mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. The study concludes that the Khana Rivers are heavily
contaminated with both heavy metals and PAHs, posing serious environmental and human health
risks. Urgent interventions are recommended, including continuous monitoring of water quality,
enforcement of environmental regulations, remediation of polluted sediments, and community
awareness programs to mitigate exposure to toxic contaminants. The findings provide a crucial
baseline for future ecological risk assessment and pollution management in oil-impacted riverine
systems of the Niger Delta.
Wisdom Osamudiamen Clifford-Osawaru· IIARD International Journal...· 0 citations
Assessment of environmental pollution in the Arctic is becoming increasingly important in the context of active industrial development and global climate change. In this study, soils and bottom sediments from the northern regions of Western and Central Siberia were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Total contaminant concentrations were quantified and spatial trends in the relative distribution of individual PAH and PCB groups were identified across Arctic subregions defined by the CAFF working group. Potential pollution sources were evaluated using non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) and ANOSIM. Furthermore, the specific characteristics of lake bottom sediment pollution under the influence of active oil and gas production were examined. Total PAH concentrations in background soils and sediments ranged from 0.3 to 112.6 µg/kg dry weight, exhibiting a significant northward increasing gradient, heavily dominated by low-molecular-weight (2–3 ring) compounds. In contrast, total PCB concentrations remained uniformly low, ranging from 0.2 to 9.0 µg/kg dry weight regardless of the subregion. The nMDS ordination demonstrated a pronounced decrease in the diversity of PAH compositions with increasing latitude and proximity to nearest industrial center, reflecting the combined effects of temperature-dependent atmospheric fractionation and regional emissions. Compositional fingerprinting confirmed that the background PCB pollution was predominantly driven by the historical regional footprint of Soviet “Sovol” technical mixtures. Compared to pristine background baselines, lake sediments within active oil and gas fields exhibited an increase in both the total content and the relative abundance of heavy PAHs. In contrast, local hydrocarbon extraction activities did not influence either the total loads or the homologous profiles of PCBs, leaving the stabilized regional historical background unaltered.
M. Kulikova, D. Samsonov, A. Soromotin· Environmental Monitoring & A...· 0 citations
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