Sources And Compositional Distribution Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Soils Of Western Niger Delta

Abstract

Sources and compositional distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soils of Effurun Metropolis of the Niger Delta (Nigeria) have been studied. Four (4) ring PAHs (Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benzo(a) anthracene, and Chrysene) accounted for 50 % of the total amount PAHs at the industrial sites. Samples collect-ed from roadsides showed 40 % abundance of 6-ring PAHs, followed by 4-ring PAHs (33 %), 5-ring PAHs (16 %) and 3-ring PAHs (11 %). The anthracene-to-anthracene plus phenanthrene ratio was 0.08, while the fluoran-thene to fluoranthene plus pyrene ratio was 0.42. For molecular mass 178, an anthracene to anthracene plus phenanthrene ratio ≤ 0.10 was taken as indication of petroleum related sources, while a ratio > 0.10 indicated dominance of combustion related sources. For molecular mass 202, a fluoranthene to fluoranthene plus pyrene ratio ≤ 0.50 was indication of petroleum related sources, while ratio > 0.50 was attributed to combustion of grass, wood and coal. The ratio values indicated that combustion and vehicular emissions were the major sourc-es of PAHs in the soils of Western Niger delta area. Journal of Applied Science and Technology Vol. 12 (1&2) 2007: pp. 35-40