Concentration and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the town of Kota Bharu, Kelantan

This study was carried out to determine the concentration and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils of Kota Bharu, Kelantan Darul Naim. A total of 20 sampling sites were chosen covering the town center and surrounding suburban area of this district. PAHs in soil matrix were extracted using ultrasonic agitation technique with dichloromethane as extraction solvent. Fractionation of PAHs were done using silica-alumina column and the characterization of these individual components were carried out using GCMS. Priority PAHs (PAH16 as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) were predominantly represented by four to six ring compounds with concentration ranging between 0.022 μgg-1 to 24.06 μgg-1. Based on ratios of selected molecular markers, it can be concluded that PAHs in soil were generally derived from combustion sources. A strong correlation between benzo (g,h,i)perylene with total identified PAHs strongly suggest that vehicular emission is the major constituent of this combustion sources. (author)