Abstract
The spatial and seasonal distribution of eight US Environmental Protection Agency priority poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); namely benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene and fluoranthene were investigated in 35 soil samples. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was used for the quantification of the PAHs in the residential, roadside and industrial soil samples collected in proximity to an industrial area, including a petrochemical plant, in Cape Town. The sum of the concentrations of the detected PAHs (ΣPAHs) in winter ranged between nd (not detected) and 13.88 mg/kg, with a mean concentration of 4.08 mg/kg and a standard deviation of distribution of 2.64 mg/kg, while in summer, ΣPAHs ranged between nd and 10.43 mg/kg, with a mean concentration of 0.50 mg/kg and standard deviation of distribution 1.83 mg/kg. The presence and concentration level of the PAHs detected in the soil samples vary significantly under climatic change (p < 0.05). The maximum concentrations of individual PAHs in the soil samples were higher in winter compared to the maximum concentrations of the PAHs detected in summer. The diagnostic ratios of selected PAH compounds showed that petrogenic processes were the most likely sources of the PAH compounds in the soil samples. In summer and winter, the total PAH concentration increased in order of residential soil < industrial soil ≤ roadside soil.
Highlights
Environmental pollution has become one of the most globally stressful challenges that mainly originate from industrialization processes, population growth and globalization (Khan and Ghouri 2011)
Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection was used for the quantification of the poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the residential, roadside and industrial soil samples collected in proximity to an industrial area, including a petrochemical plant, in Cape Town
The maximum concentrations of individual PAHs in the soil samples were higher in winter compared to the maximum concentrations of the PAHs detected in summer
Summary
Environmental pollution has become one of the most globally stressful challenges that mainly originate from industrialization processes, population growth and globalization (Khan and Ghouri 2011). Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polycyclic organic matter (POM), poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, poly-nuclear aromatics (PNAs) or poly-nuclear hydrocarbons, have been identified as potential environmental contaminants (ATSDR 2009). Based on their stability, the aforementioned class of compounds has been proved resistant to biodegradation. Literature maintained that the discharge of PAHs into the environment usually occurs through thermal processes which might involve complete/incomplete combustion of substances such as coal and similar activities including burning fossil fuel (e.g., wood, oil, and charcoal), garbage, charcoal meat, and heating of tobacco (Chen and Chen 2011). The sixteen prioritized PAHs include naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorine, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, Int J Environ Res (2017) 11:189–196 benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene
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