Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs), both carcinogenic and hazardous, are common environmental contaminants. Soil samples were taken from three sites using a soil auger, air dried, and digested with the AODC method. HMs concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while PAHs were extracted with the USEPA method and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the data. HMs’ mean concentrations in mg/kg were copper (Cu) (255 ± 33-356 ± 22), lead (Pb) (48 ± 4-213 ± 62), Mn (77 ± 10-101 ± 3), Na (49 ± 8-63 ± 19), and cadmium (Cd) (0.51 ± 0.05-4 ± 3), with Cu > Pb > Mn > Na > Cd. Cu, Pb, and Cd levels exceeded Dutch target values. PAHs concentrations ranged from 147,290 ± 120,340 to 265,090 ± 184,321 µg/kg, with six out of seven carcinogenic PAHs detected. Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene had the highest concentration (26,053 ± 18,465 µg/kg). All PAH levels exceeded the Dutch guideline of 50 µg/kg.
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Article Type: Research Article
EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, Volume 9, Issue 3, 2025, Article No: em0313
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/16358
Publication date: 01 Jul 2025
Online publication date: 06 May 2025
Article Views: 42
Article Downloads: 25
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