ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN SOIL AND WATER OF SELECTED AGROCHEMICAL FACILITIES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study encompasses an assessment of physicochemical characteristics and the detection of the 16 polycyclic 
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil and water samples within the Iragbiji, Kelebe, Onne, and Ore study areas. The 
soil and water samples underwent preparation and extraction procedures according to standardized protocols, 
followed by analysis for the 16 priority PAHs utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). 
Results revealed that 90% of all physicochemical parameters remained within prescribed standard limits, 
encompassing pH, EC, TDS, TA, TH, TOC, OM, and K among others. 50% of the water samples tested fall within 
the range (QWI < 25) of excellent water quality and are good for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes. The 
average PAHs level varied from a minimum value of (0.03 to 0.11) mg/L in all the study sites. The soil and water 
samples exhibited a greater impact from High Molecular Weight PAHs compared to Low Molecular Weight PAHs. 
Specifically, the Onne (C) site demonstrated a strong correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.729) across all sample sites. 
Conversely, the Ore (D) site displayed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) among the sites. Overall, this 
study indicated that the sampling sites bore a low health risk burden, thus suggesting the likelihood of low to 
moderate adverse health effects.