https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1174-3534
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Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the nitrogen heterocyclic analogues (N-PAHs) are known to co-exist in environmental samples. Despite the known toxicity in polluted soils, their distribution remains to be elucidated in specific regions. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution PAHs and N-PAHs in soils from the Niger Delta. Physico-chemical analysis shows that Niger Delta soils are calcic, low in cation-exchange capacity (CEC); with ƩPAHs and ƩN-PAHs ranges of 663.9–1,618,821.2 µg/kg and 488.2–3,510.3 µg/kg, respectively. The most abundant PAHs were 2,6-dimethyl-naphthalene and 4,7-phenanthroline. Petrogenic-PAHs dominated the crude oil spill sites; while, pyrogenic-PAHs were abundant in drilling and gas flaring sites. Oil spill sites recorded elevated levels of N-PAHs, with 3-rings and carcinogenic-N-PAHs showing dominance. Furthermore, ƩPAHs and ƩN-PAHs in the oil rich region exceeded the Alberta and Canadian soil quality guidelines and, are also higher than PAHs/N-PAHs studies in literature. Risk assessment based on Benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalency (TEQ-B[a]Peq) suggests high ecological risks. This is the first study on the occurrence and distribution of PAHs/N-PAHs in the area, and the data could serve a baseline purpose for risk assessment and remediation of contaminated sites.
Acknowledgement
We thank the Centre for Marine Pollution Monitoring and Seafood Safety, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Mr Chukwudum C. Anyanwu for their assistance during sample collection.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.