Distribution Pattern of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Soils in the Vicinity of Fuel Stations in Abraka, Nigeria

The concentration and pattern of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in top and bottom soil in the vicinity of fuel stations in Abraka Nigeria, using gas chromotograph (GC) Hawleth Packard 6890. Analysis of results show that sample D(0.03979mg.kg^-1)>C(0.01592mg.kg^-1)>A(0.01155mg.kg^-1)>B(0.00325mg.kg^-1)>E (0.00191mg.kg^-1). Investigation also reveals that all tested samples are contaminated, with mean values ranging between 0.000207±0.00026mg.kg^-1 and 0.002123±0.00303mg.kg^-1. Similarly, spearmen’s rank correlation coefficient (SRCC) of sample points At/Ab (0.99), Bt/Bb (0.99), Ct/Cb (0.98), Dt/Db (0.96) and Et/Eb (0.98) show a high and positive correlation between contaminants from top and bottom soil in each sample point. Molecular ratio analyses also show that petroleum origin is the chief source of PAHs contamination in all samples except in the control that is characterized with pyrogenic and petrogenic source.