Authors :
Nwanya Emmanuel, Ifudu Chidera Justus, Ojukwu Ihuoma Nneka
Volume/Issue :
Volume 5 - 2020, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://goo.gl/DF9R4u
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/2JKfBRL
Abstract :
This study was carried out to investigate the
presence and concentrations of PAHs around an asphalt
plant in Owerri, South East Nigeria. Soil samples were
collected from three different locations around the
asphalt plant, while a control sample was collected some
kilometres away from the asphalt plant. The samples
were collected using a hand auger; after which they
were put into a sterile polythene bag and transported to
the laboratory for analysis. At the laboratory, the
samples were oven dried and sieved to remove large
particles. Edaphic variables were determined using
approved Standard Operations Procedures (SOP),
while PAHs were determined using gas
chromatography interphased with Flame Ionization
Detector (GC-FID. Narrow variations were noticed for
benzo (a) anthracene (0.29 – 0.32 mg/kg) with a mean
and standard error of 0.40 and 0.13 respectively.
Maximum concentrations of 0.82mg/kg and 0.72mg/kg
were recorded for benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene
respectively at sampling location B (SLB). Nitrate,
phosphate and sulphate had minimum concentrations of
28.90, 8.65 and 58.20mg/kg, respectively, with
maximum concentrations of 31.00, 10.80 and
66.50mg/kg, respectively. At p<0.05, chrysene had a
positive correlation with pH (r=0.970) and sand
composition (r=0.977). Also, benzo(k)flouranthene,
diabenzo(a,h)anthracene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene each
correlated positively with loam component (r=0.974, r=
0.973and r=0.970), respectively. PAHs
[benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)flouranthene,
benzo(k)flouranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno-1,2,3-cd
pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and
benzo(g,h,i)perylene] were identified in the soil samples,
at a relatively high concentrations. The high
concentration of PAHs present in the soil samples can
be attributed to high organic carbon content of the soil,
as well as low pH value, high sand composition and high
moisture contents.
Keywords :
Asphalt; Asphalt Plant; Concentration; Gas Chromatography; Edaphic variables; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
This study was carried out to investigate the
presence and concentrations of PAHs around an asphalt
plant in Owerri, South East Nigeria. Soil samples were
collected from three different locations around the
asphalt plant, while a control sample was collected some
kilometres away from the asphalt plant. The samples
were collected using a hand auger; after which they
were put into a sterile polythene bag and transported to
the laboratory for analysis. At the laboratory, the
samples were oven dried and sieved to remove large
particles. Edaphic variables were determined using
approved Standard Operations Procedures (SOP),
while PAHs were determined using gas
chromatography interphased with Flame Ionization
Detector (GC-FID. Narrow variations were noticed for
benzo (a) anthracene (0.29 – 0.32 mg/kg) with a mean
and standard error of 0.40 and 0.13 respectively.
Maximum concentrations of 0.82mg/kg and 0.72mg/kg
were recorded for benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene
respectively at sampling location B (SLB). Nitrate,
phosphate and sulphate had minimum concentrations of
28.90, 8.65 and 58.20mg/kg, respectively, with
maximum concentrations of 31.00, 10.80 and
66.50mg/kg, respectively. At p<0.05, chrysene had a
positive correlation with pH (r=0.970) and sand
composition (r=0.977). Also, benzo(k)flouranthene,
diabenzo(a,h)anthracene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene each
correlated positively with loam component (r=0.974, r=
0.973and r=0.970), respectively. PAHs
[benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)flouranthene,
benzo(k)flouranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno-1,2,3-cd
pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and
benzo(g,h,i)perylene] were identified in the soil samples,
at a relatively high concentrations. The high
concentration of PAHs present in the soil samples can
be attributed to high organic carbon content of the soil,
as well as low pH value, high sand composition and high
moisture contents.
Keywords :
Asphalt; Asphalt Plant; Concentration; Gas Chromatography; Edaphic variables; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
