Determination of levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil contaminated with spent motor Engine oil in Abakaliki Auto-Mechanic Village

JN Afiukwa,U Obini,CO Okafor

doi:10.4314/jasem.v17i2.1

Abstract

Soil samples contaminated with spent motor engine oil collected from Abakaliki auto-mechanic site were analyzed to determine the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) components which are often targets in environmental check. Identification and quantification of the PAH components was accomplished using a gas chromatographic system (6890 series and 6890 plus) equipped with a quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (Agilent 5975 MSD) after ultrasonic extraction of the sample and clean up of the extract. The results showed that out of the sixteen USEPA target PAHs (EPA-16) assayed, only six were detected in varying concentrations in mg/kg. These include Phenanthrene with concentration range of 0.0172 ± 0.01 to 0.0193 ± 0.02, fluorene (0.0189 ± 0.01), benzo[a]anthracene (0.0162 ± 0.05), chrysene (0.0209 ± 0.02), benzo[b]fluoranthrene (0.0453 ± 0.02) and benzo[k]fluoranthrene (0.0389 ± 0.1). The concentration of total PAH components detected in the samples ranged from 0.0184 ± 0.02 to 0.1385 ± 0.2 mg/kg. Implications of PAHs on health were discussed. ©JASEMKeywords: PAHs, Spent Engine Oil, Soil, Health, Pollution, Abakaliki

Highlights

In Nigeria, as in many other countries, petroleum hydrocarbon contamination is widespread
Those containing up to four benzene rings are known as light polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (l-PAHs) and those containing more than four benzene rings are known as heavy PAHs (h-PAHs)
The concentrations of the 16 EPA Target PAH components in the soil samples collected from Abakaliki auto-mechanic site are presented in Table 1 and Fig. 2

Summary

Introduction

In Nigeria, as in many other countries, petroleum hydrocarbon contamination is widespread. Most of them focused on the study of the implication of heavy metal contamination in soil by these used engine oils without recourse to the effects of other petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants such as the persistent and ubiquitous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) present in used engine oils. These used oils and solvents form part of the most hazardous wastes commonly generated in auto-repair shops around cities in Nigeria (Ipeaiyeda and Dawodu, 2008 and Iwegbue, 2007). According to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) list of hazardous substances, PAHs

Methods

Results

Conclusion