Research
SOURCE IDENTIFICATION AND FATE OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF IMO RIVER WATERSHED, IMO STATE, NIGERIA
Author(s): Jessica N Anyahara*, Nwoko CO, Njoku-Tony RF and Ihejirika CE
Environmental contamination by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been of great concern due to risk to human health and the ecosystem. This study was carried out to identify the sources and fate of PAH contamination in agricultural soils of Imo River Watershed, Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 8 soil samples (0- 30cm) were randomly collected from different activity areas on the watershed and analyzed for the presence of the 16 US-EPA priority PAHs. The identification and quantification of the PAHs in the soil samples were carried out in accordance with EPA 8270: (GC-MSD). The results of the analysis revealed that amongst the 16 USEPA priority PAHs, eight of them were detected in the soil samples. The total concentration of PAHs detected in the study area were Naphthalene (0.146mg/kg), Acenaphthylene (0.010mg/kg), Acenaphthene (0.210mg/kg), Phenanthrene (0.021mg/kg), Anthracene .. View More»
DOI:
10.14303/2315-5698.2023.32