Physicochemical and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Analysis in Soil and Sediment from Vicinity of Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the levels of 16 priority PAHs in soil and sediments from some vicinities of Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin. The soils were prepared using standard procedure in the laboratory and analyzed for 16 US EPA priority PAHs using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The soil samples were obtained from two sampling sites at Ikot Akpaden (Site A and C). Site C showed minimal PAHs concentration while site A recorded PAHs levels ranging from 0.01 to 4.25 mg/kg. According to European commission, the PAHs concentrations in soil samples of this study are moderate, but deleterious over time. The soils were negatively affected more with low molecular weight PAHs than High Molecular Weight PAHs.This study revealed that the sampling sites had low carcinogenic burden, hence would exhibit moderate adverse health effects to plants and animals. It was concluded that automobile repair activities in site A contributed to the soil contamination with PAHs; hence it should be properly sited.