Distribution, toxicity level, and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soil and groundwater of Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract In this study, the distribution, toxicity level, and relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with total organic content (TOC) have been investigated using surface soil and ground water samples from an area adjacent to petrochemical plant in Pakistan. Six PAHs, naphthalene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, anthracene, flouranthene, and chrysene, were selected from the 16 Environment Protection Agency priority pollutants list. ΣPAHs range from 2,700 to 4,443 μg/g (average: 3,672 ± 592 μg/g) in soil and 201–1,634 ng/L (average: 763 ± 377 ng/L) in water. The compositional profile of PAHs revealed that low molecular weight 3–4 ring PAHs were predominant. The ratios of phenanthrene/anthracene reflected the pyrogenic origin of PAHs. The relationship of PAHs with TOC has also been investigated and a positive correlation was observed between ΣPAHs and TOC. This indicates that partitioned in organic matter may be the possible source of PAHs in water. An assessment using widely cited guidelines indicates that water samples do not pose biological impact, while soil can pose a threat of lung cancer.