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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt
ISSN: 1119-8362
Vol. 20, No. 4, 2016, pp. 1087-1094
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Bioline Code: ja16116
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, Vol. 20, No. 4, 2016, pp. 1087-1094
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Occurrence and Sources of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Soils within the Vicinity of Hot Mix Asphalt Plants in Obigbo and Igwuruta Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria
ILECHUKWU, IFENNA; OSUJI, LEO C.; ONYEMA, MARK O. & NDUKWE, GLORIA I.
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) in soils within
the vicinity of hot mix asphalt (HMA) plants. Soil samples were collected from two HMA plants and analysed with gas
chromatography - flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). Sample collection was from both surface (0-15 cm) and
subsurface (15-30 cm) soils at an increasing distance of 10 m from the HMA plants while the control samples at both
depths were collected at 1 km away from the plants. The AHCs concentration (nC9-nC38) in soils from both HMA Plants
ranged from 8.16 - 433.04 mg/kg and 5.91-177.83 mg/kg for surface and subsurface soils respectively while the
concentration in the control samples ranged from 5.97 - 23.95 mg/kg and 2.52 - 13.31 for surface and subsurface soil
respectively. The sources of the AHCs were determined using isoprenoid ratios, carbon preference index (CPI) and
maximum carbon chain (Cmax). The isoprenoid ratios and CPI values of the samples closer (< 20 m) to the HMA plants
were < 1 and < 2 respectively indicating anthropogenic inputs. Samples > 20 m from the HMA plants showed mixture
of both anthropogenic and biogenic sources.
Keywords
Asphalt Plants; Soil; Aliphatic hydrocarbons; Pristane; Phytane
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© Copyright 2016 - Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
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