PAH Levels and Profiles in the Suspended Particulate Matter in Zagreb through Four Seasons

This paper presents the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) measured in all four seasons in suspendedparticulate matter (SPM) collected with a high-volume sampler on one measuring site in the northern part of Zagreb. About 30 samples of SPM were analysed for each season, including workdays and weekends and there were no differences amongst them. The concentrations of all PAHs were highest in winter andlowest in summer. The spring PAH concentrations were lower thanthe autumn ones, as the spring had more sunny and warm days. Theprofiles of PAH/BaP at the measurement sites showed that the mainsource of PAHs in spring and summer was traffic while asubstantial amount of autumn and winter PAHs, besides traffic,came from heating.     

Particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an urban, industrial and rural area in the western Mediterranean

Particle-bound PAHs were measured at three sites in southeastern Spain (an urban background location, a suburban-industrial site in the vicinity of two cement plants and a rural area) in order to investigate the influence of the type of location on PAH concentrations. A clear influence of cement production on particulate PAH levels could not be established since for the urban background and suburban-industrial sites the average concentrations of total PAHs in the PM2.5 fraction were very similar (1.085 and 1.151 ng m(-3), respectively), with benzo[b+k]fluoranthene and chrysene as the predominant compounds. Diagnostic ratios, used to identify PAH emission sources, pointed to traffic as the main source of particulate PAH at both locations. As expected, PAH levels at the rural site were significantly lower (0.408 ng m(-3) in the PM10 fraction) due to increasing distance from the emission sources. PAH seasonal variations at the urban background and suburban-industrial sites were the same as reported in many previous studies. Average winter to summer ratios for total PAHs were 4.4 and 4.9 for the urban background and industrial sites, in that order. This seasonal cycle could be partially explained by the higher temperature and solar radiation during summer enhancing PAH evaporation from the particulate phase and PAH photochemical degradation, respectively. The study of PAH distribution between the fine and coarse fraction at the urban site revealed that on average around 80% of total PAHs were associated with fine particles.     

Sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in street dust from the Chang-Zhu-Tan Region, Hunan, China

Street dusts collected from 20 locations in the Chang-Zhu-Tan (Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan) region, Hunan, China, in May to July 2006, were investigated for sources of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The individual PAH concentrations were in the range of 10–4316 ng g^?1, and ∑PAHs₁₆ levels were in the range of 3,515–24,488 ng g^?1, with a mean of 8,760 ng g^?1. The high-molecular-weight PAHs (four to six rings), ranging from 47.51 to 82.11 %, with a mean of 74.79 %, were the dominant PAH compounds in almost all of the dusts. The isomer ratios suggested a rather uniform mixture of coal combustion and petroleum PAH sources. Factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis indicate that the main sources of the 16 PAHs were coal combustion/vehicle exhaust, coking/petroleum, and plant combustion, with contribution rates of 50.9, 35.01, and 14.08, respectively. The spatial distributions of PAH concentrations were significantly related to the distribution of industries, traffic circulation, and farmland in this region.     

郑州大气及颗粒物中多环芳烃的分布特征与来源解析

对2012年郑州市大气中气态和颗粒态多环芳烃(PAHs)的分布特征与来源进行了分析。结果表明,ρ(∑PAHs)(包括气相与颗粒相)为23.27~194.61 ng/m3,气相中∑PAHs高于颗粒相,四环以下的PAHs大都存在于气态中;在夏、春2季,较小分子质量(≤178)的PAHs占比较高,冬季,较大分子质量(≥252)的PAHs占比明显较高;各功能区ρ(PAHs)排序为工业区交通密集区医疗、文化、行政混合区。郑州大气和颗粒物中PAHs可能主要来自煤和液体燃料(汽油柴油)的燃烧。     

Pollution assessment and source identifications of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the Yellow River Delta, a newly born wetland in China

The levels and possible sources of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic carbons (PAHs) in the sediments from the Yellow River Delta (YRD) were investigated. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 23.9 to 520.6 microg kg(-1) with a mean value of 150.9 microg kg(-1), indicating low or medium levels compared with reported values of other deltas. The concentrations of the 16 individual PAHs presented varied profiles among different regions. The ecological risk assessment of PAHs showed that adverse effects would rarely occur in the sediments of the YRD based on the effect range-low quotients and the probability risk assessment. The PAH compositions and the principal component analysis (PCA) with multiple linear regression (MLR) uniformly presumed the mixed sources of pyrogenic- and petrogenic-deriving PAHs in the YRD. By PCA with MLR, the contributions of major sources were quantified as 36.4% from oil burning, 33.1% from biomass combustion, and 30.5% from diesel emission sources.     

Seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and air of Dalian areas, China: an assessment of soil-air exchange

The seasonal variations of concentrations of PAHs in the soil and the air were measured in urban and rural region of Dalian, China in 2007. In soil, mean concentrations of all PAHs in summer were larger than those in winter, whereas the concentrations of heavier weight PAHs in winter were larger than those in summer. Winter/summer concentration ratios for individual PAHs (R(W/S)) increased with the increase of molecular weight of PAHs in soil, indicating that PAHs with high molecular weight were more easily deposited to soil in winter than summer. In air, mean concentrations of all PAHs in winter were larger than those in summer. In comparison with the R(W/S) in soil, all the values of R(W/S) in air were larger than one indicating that the entire individual PAH concentrations in winter were larger than those in summer. The average concentration composition for each PAH compound in soil and air samples was determined and the seasonal change of PAH profile was very small. It was suggested that PAHs in soils and air had the same or similar sources both in winter and summer. The approach to the soil-air equilibrium was assessed by calculating fugacity quotients between soil and air using the soil and air concentrations. The calculated soil-air fugacity quotients indicated that soil acted as a secondary source to the atmosphere for all lighter weight PAHs (two-three rings) and it will continue to be a sink for heavier weight PAHs (five-six rings) in the Dalian environment, both in winter and summer. Medium weight PAHs (four-five rings) were close to the soil-air equilibrium and the tendency shifted between soil and air when season or function region changed. The fugacity quotients of PAHs in summer (mean temperature 298 K) were larger than those in winter (mean temperature 273 K), indicating a higher tendency in summer than winter for PAHs to move from soil to air. The variation of ambient conditions such as temperature, rainfall, etc. can influence the movement of PAHs between soil and air. Most of the fugacity quotients of PAHs for the urban sites were larger than that for the rural site both in winter and summer. This phenomenon may be related with that the temperatures in urban sites were higher than those in the rural site because of the urban heat island effect.     

Impact of urbanization on the concentrations and distribution of organic contaminants in boreal lake sediments

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impacts of a middle-sized Finnish urban area on the quality of sediments in an adjacent boreal lake. We investigated the sources and distribution of organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) in the sediments from urban stormwater traps and from Lake Vesijärvi. Grab surface sediment samples were taken from Lake Vesijärvi at various distances (25–2,000 m) from four major stormwater drainage outlets and at 15 urban stormwater traps in areas with different degrees of urbanization. These samples were analysed for 16 PAHs and 28 PCBs with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The concentrations of pollutants in the lake sediments were elevated in the vicinity of the urban shore (∑PAH 3–16, ∑PCB up to 0.02–0.3 mg/kg dw) and decreased as a function of distance (∑PAH 0.1–2.5, ∑PCB 0.01–0.3 mg/kg dw at a distance of more than 500 m from the shore), whereas contamination levels in suburban areas were notably lower (∑PAH 0.1–3, ∑PCB?<?LOQ–0.03 mg/kg dw; did not decline with distance). Possible sources and pathways of contamination were also investigated. The majority of stormwater trap sediments contained predominantly asphalt-derived PAHs due to pulverized pavement. PAHs in lake sediments were of pyrogenic origin, including the combustion of gasoline, diesel and coal. Suggested pathways of lake contamination are urban runoff discharge, boat traffic and atmospheric deposition.     

Gas–particle concentration,distribution, and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a traffic area of Giza,Egypt

Atmospheric particulate and gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) samples were collected from an urban area in Dokki (Giza) during the summer of 2007 and the winter of 2007–2008. The average concentrations of PAHs were 1,429.74 ng/m³ in the particulate phase, 2,912.56 ng/m³ in the gaseous phase, and 4,342.30 ng/m³ in the particulate + gaseous phases during the period of study. Dokki has high level concentrations of PAH compounds compared with many polluted cities in the world. The concentrations of PAH compounds in the particulate and gaseous phases were higher in the winter and lower in the summer. Total concentrations of PAHs in the particulate phase and gaseous phase were 22.58% and 77.42% in summer and 36.97% and 63.03% in winter of the total (particulate + gaseous) concentrations of PAHs, respectively. The gaseous/particulate ratios of PAHs concentration were 3.43 in summer and 1.71 in winter. Significant negative correlation coefficients were found between the ambient temperature and concentrations of the total PAHs in the particulate and gaseous phases. The distribution of individual PAHs and different categories of PAHs based on aromatic ring number in the particulate and gaseous phases during the summer and winter were nearly similar, indicating similar emission sources of PAHs in both two seasons. Benzo(b)fluoranthene in the particulate phase and naphthalene in the gaseous phase were the most abundant compounds. Diagnostic concentration ratios of PAH compounds indicate that these compounds are emitted mainly from pyrogenic sources, mainly local vehicular exhaust emissions. Health risks associated with the inhalation of individual PAHs in particulate and gaseous phases were assessed on the basis of its benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentration. Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene in the particulate phase and benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(a)anthracene in the gaseous phase were the greatest contributors to the total health risks. The relative mean contributions of the total carcinogenic activity (concentrations) of all PAHs to the total concentrations of PAHs were 29.37% and 25.15% in the particulate phase and 0.76% and 0.92% in the gaseous phase during the summer and winter, respectively. These results suggest that PAHs in the particulate phase in the ambient air of Dokki may pose a potential health risk.     

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an industrialized city, Kocaeli, Turkey: study of seasonal variations, influence of meteorological parameters and health risk estimation

Ambient gas and particle phase samples were collected during two sampling periods from a residential area of an industrialized city, Kocaeli, Turkey. The sampling occurred during winter months when structures were being heated, and summer months when structures were not being heated. Σ(13)PAH (gas + particle) concentrations ranged between 6.2 ng m(-3) (DahA) and 98.6 ng m(-3) (Phe) in the heating (winter) period and 3.0 ng m(-3) (BaA) and 35.1 ng m(-3) (Phe) in the non-heating (summer) period. Phe, Flt and Pyr were found to be at high concentrations in both sampling periods. Winter time to summer time concentration ratios for individual ambient PAH concentration ratios ranged between 1.2 (DahA) and 17.5 (Flu), indicating the effect of the emissions from residential heating on measured concentrations of PAHs, but great industrial plants and the only incinerator facility of Turkey are other important pollution sources around the city. Temperature dependence of gas phase PAHs was investigated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. A high slope obtained (5069.7) indicated the effect of the local sources on measured gas phase PAHs. Correlation of the supercooled vapor pressure (P) with the gas particle partitioning coefficient (K(p)) and particle phase fraction was also evaluated. The relationship between the meteorological parameters and individual PAH (gas + particle) concentrations was investigated further by multiple linear regression analysis. It was found that the temperature had a significant effect on all of the measured PAH concentrations, while the effects of the wind speed and direction were not significant on the individual PAHs. On the other hand, PAH concentrations showed a strong linear relationship with the ventilation coefficient (VC) which showed the influence of local sources on measured PAHs. Benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalent (BaP(eq.)) concentrations were used for health risk assessment purposes. The winter period risk level (2.92 × 10(-3)) due to the respiratory exposure to PAHs was found to be almost 3 times higher than in the summer period (1.15 × 10(-3)).     

The effect of wind direction on the observed size distribution of particle adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on an inner city sampling site

An investigation of the variability in the size distribution of particle adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on an inner city sampling site showed differences depending on the wind direction. Particle size distributions of PAHs from outdoor air sampling were measured in Munich from 1994 to 1997. The sampling site is located northeast of a crossing with heavy traffic and southwest of a large inner city park. Depending on the wind direction, three different size distributions of particle adsorbed PAHs were observed. The maximum PAH concentration on very small particles (geometric mean diameter 75 nm) was observed with wind from west to southwest coming directly from the crossing area or the roads with heavy traffic. The maximum PAH concentration on particles with geometric mean diameter of 260 nm was found on days with wind from the built-up area north of the sampling site. On particles with geometric mean diameter of 920 nm the maximum PAH concentration was found on days with main wind directions from northeast to east. On these days the wind is blowing from the direction of the city park nearby. The distribution of particle adsorbed PAHs within different particle size classes is substantially influenced by the distance of the sampling site from strong sources of PAH loaded particulate matter.     

Assesment of Trace Elements and Organic Pollutants from a Marine Oil Complex into the Coral Reef System of Cayo Arcas, Mexico

Possible contaminants produced by the Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) marine oil complex in the vicinity of the Cayo Arcas (Mexico) coral reef ecosystem were evaluated by analyzing sediments and sea water for hydrocarbons and metal elements. We found that the concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the sea water were generally low, with the highest values detected near the oil station; the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was generally below the detection limit. The hydrocarbons found in the sediments seem to have a pyrogenic origin, and were probably produced by marine traffic in the study area. The total PAH concentration did not exceed the NOAA criteria, although levels of some individual PAHs did. The only metal detected in the sea water at high concentrations was nickel. The Ni/V ratio in the sediments indicates the contribution of crude oil to the system. The high content of Ni and Zn was attributed to the ballast waters from the oil tankers that load at the station's monobuoys. The presence of fine sediments that commonly originate from terrestrial ecosystems supported this assumption.     

Profile of PAHs in the inhalable particulate fraction: source apportionment and associated health risks in a tropical megacity

The present study proposed to investigate the atmospheric distribution, sources, and inhalation health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a tropical megacity (Delhi, India). To this end, 16 US EPA priority PAHs were measured in the inhalable fraction of atmospheric particles (PM₁₀; aerodynamic diameter, ≤10 μm) collected weekly at three residential areas in Delhi from December 2008 to November 2009. Mean annual 24 h PM₁₀ levels at the sites (166.5–192.3 μg m^?3) were eight to ten times the WHO limit. Weekday/weekend effects on PM₁₀ and associated PAHs were investigated. Σ₁₆PAH concentrations (sum of 16 PAHs analyzed; overall annual mean, 105.3 ng m^?3; overall range, 10.5–511.9 ng m^?3) observed were at least an order of magnitude greater than values reported from European and US cities. Spatial variations in PAHs were influenced by nearness to traffic and thermal power plants while seasonal variation trends showed highest concentrations in winter. Associations between Σ₁₆PAHs and various meteorological parameters were investigated. The overall PAH profile was dominated by combustion-derived large-ring species (85–87 %) that were essentially local in origin. Carcinogenic PAHs contributed 58–62 % to Σ₁₆PAH loads at the sites. Molecular diagnostic ratios were used for preliminary assessment of PAH sources. Principal component analysis coupled with multiple linear regression-identified vehicular emissions as the predominant source (62–83 %), followed by coal combustion (18–19 %), residential fuel use (19 %), and industrial emissions (16 %). Spatio-temporal variations and time-evolution of source contributions were studied. Inhalation cancer risk assessment showed that a maximum of 39,780 excess cancer cases might occur due to lifetime inhalation exposure to the analyzed PAH concentrations.     

Effect of vehicle exhaust on the quantity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil

PAHs are formed during the incomplete combustion of organic substances containing carbon and hydrogen and are one of the first atmospheric pollutants identified as carcinogens. Most of the PAH environmental burden is found in the soil (95%). Soil samples collected from different roadsides were analyzed for seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The quantitative and qualitative analysis was carried out by UV Spectrophotometer. The individual PAH value ranged from 0.1 to 18.0 mg/kg. Phenenthrene and Pyrene were found to be the most abundant compounds. Vehicle emissions are the principal source of PAH in the Roadside soils. The highest concentration was found at site S2 (Hasthtnagri Roadside) which shows the highest traffic density.     

PAHs in the urban air of Sarajevo: levels,sources, day/night variation,and human inhalation risk

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants derived from pyrolysis and pyrosynthesis processes. Industrial activity, motor vehicle emission, and domestic combustion are the main sources of PAHs in the urban atmosphere. In this work, samples collected during the day and night in the urban area of Sarajevo are analyzed separately for gaseous and particle-bound PAHs; the possible origin of PAHs at the receptor site was suggested using different methods applied to the solid phase and to the total PAHs (gaseous + particulate phase). Finally, the risk level in Sarajevo associated to the carcinogenic character of the studied PAHs has been assessed. The result of this study suggests that (a) the total PAH concentrations were higher than those reported in other European cities; (b) the PAH daytime concentrations are higher than nocturnal concentrations: the sum of the PAH day/night ratios is 1.52 (gas) and 1.45 (particle phase); (c) stationary combustion and traffic were suggested to be the main sources of PAHs; (d) the average particle-bound benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) concentration (5.4 ng/m³) is higher than EU target annual value (1 ng/m³); and (e) PAH cancer risk exceeds the carcinogenic benchmark level recommended by the EPA mainly due to BaP during both the day and night periods.     

Vertical distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Hunpu wastewater-irrigated area in northeast China under different land use patterns

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in groundwater and soil profiles from upland field and paddy field in the Hunpu wastewater-irrigated area of northeast China. In the study area, the peak concentrations of total PAHs were within or just below the topsoil, and the contents decline with depth at various trend verified by the Spearman's rank correlation test. The total PAH concentrations in upland soil layers ranged from 46.8 to 2,373.0 microg/kg (dry wt.), while the concentrations in paddy soil layers ranged from 23.1 to 1,179.1 microg/kg (dry wt.). The 16 priority PAHs were all detected in the analyzed soil samples, and naphthalene (Nap), phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Fla), chrysene (Chr), and benzo[a]pyrene (Bap) were selected for further study in terms of their vertical distributions. The concentrations of both total and individual PAHs in upland soil were generally higher than those in the corresponding layers of paddy soil. The concentrations of total and individual PAH were notably different between the corresponding horizons in upland and paddy soil were probably attribute to the different sources and properties of the PAHs and soil; different methods of soil tillage and plant growing. Special PAH compound ratios, such as phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene, LMW/HMW, and parent PAH ratios (Ant/178, Fla/202, BaA/228, and Ilp/276) were used to identify the source of soil PAHs. The data suggests that the possible sources of PAHs in the Hunpu wastewater-irrigation area are the incomplete combustion of coal, petroleum and crude oil, automobile exhausts. These sources lead to pollution of the soil and groundwater by wet/dry deposition and vertical downward migration.     

基于主成分分析-多元线性回归的松花江水体中多环芳烃源解析

对松花江全流域14个监测断面的16种美国环保局优先控制的多环芳烃(PAHs)的主要来源及其贡献率应用主成分因子分析-多元线性回归模型(PCA-MLR)进行了来源解析。结果表明:松花江全流域为化石和石油燃料的复合PAHs污染,水体环境中PAHs首要污染源为化石燃料燃烧和交通污染,合计贡献率为63.1%,第二大污染源为工业和民用燃煤污染,合计贡献率为36.9%,沿江的石化、石油基地、大型焦化厂、电厂都是PAHs的主要来源。     

Contributions of deposited particles to pine needle polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The contributions of deposited particles (P) to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in pine (Cedrus deodar) needles sampled from the Dalian region were evaluated by washing off the particles from pine needle surfaces. P values ranged from 4.4 +/- 2.2% for fluorene to 69.9 +/- 4.0% for indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and positively correlated with the logarithm of octanol-air partition coefficients (log K OA) of each PAH significantly. P and the total levels of 14 PAHs under study ( summation PAHs), that ranged from 490 to 3241 ng g(-1) dw (dry weight) with median value of 1521 ng g(-1) dw, were high for traffic areas, and low for residential or park areas, implying the significant contributions of PAHs in both gas and particle phases emitted by vehicles. However, PAH profiles in pine needles were not significantly altered by the washing, due to the low fractions (2-5%) of the 5- and 6-ring PAHs in summation PAHs. The high wind speed and frequently alternating wind directions in the Dalian spring could quicken the depuration processes of pine needle PAHs. Thus, the local meteorological conditions and source variations should be taken into account when using pine needles to implicate seasonal variations of atmospheric semi-volatile organic compounds.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in stormwater detention pond sediments in coastal South Carolina

The purpose of this study was to characterize the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in the sediments of stormwater detention ponds in coastal South Carolina. Levels of the sum of PAH analytes were significantly higher in the sediments of commercial ponds compared to that of reference, golf course, low-density residential, and high-density residential ponds. Isomer ratio analysis suggested that the predominant source of PAHs were pyrogenic; however, many ponds had a PAH signature consistent with mixed uncombusted and combusted PAH sources. PAH levels in these sediments could be modeled using both pond drainage area and pond surface area. These results demonstrate that the sediment from most commercial ponds, and a few residential and golf course ponds, were moderately contaminated with PAHs. PAH levels in these contaminated ponds exceeded between 42% and 75% of the ecological screening values for individual PAH analytes established by US EPA Region IV, suggesting that they may pose a toxicological risk to wildlife.     

Evaluation of the urban/rural particle-bound PAH and PCB levels in the northern Spain (Cantabria region)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in PM(10) and PM(2.5), at one rural and three urban sites in the Cantabria region (northern Spain). From all of these pollutants, benzo(a)pyrene is regulated by the EU air quality directives; its target value (1?ng/m(3)) was not exceeded. The concentration values of the studied organic pollutants at the studied sites are in the range of those obtained at other European sites. A comparison between the rural-urban stations was developed: (a) PAH concentration values were lower in the rural site (except for fluorene). Therefore, the contribution of local sources to the urban levels of PAHs seems relevant. Results from the coefficient of divergence show that the urban PAH levels are influenced by different local emission sources. (b) PCB rural concentration values were higher than those found at urban sites. Because no local sources of PCBs were identified in the rural site, the contribution of more distant emission sources (about 40?km) to the PCB levels is considered to be the most important; the long-range transport of PCBs does not seem to be significant. Additionally, local PAH tracers were identified by a triangular diagram: higher molecular weight PAHs in Reinosa, naphthalene in Santander and anthracene/pyrene in Castro Urdiales. A preliminary PAH source apportionment study in the urban sites was conducted by means of diagnostic ratios. The ratios are similar to those reported in areas affected by traffic emissions; they also suggest an industrial emission source at Reinosa.     

Distribution of PAHs in Surface Soils from Petroleum Handling Facilities in Calabar

The level of concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soils from petroleum handling facilities (kerosene tank, generating plant, petrol stations, mechanic workshops, leaking pipeline and air port fuel dump) from Calabar metropolis southeastern Nigeria was determined by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. The results show that total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) varied from 1.80 to 334.43 mg/kg with a mean of 50.31 mg/kg. The lowest value of 1.80 mg/kg was obtained from petrol station while the highest value of 334.43 mg/kg was obtained from facility characterised by petrol stations and mechanic workshops. The ratio of phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene, varied from 0.43 to 27.72 and from 0.14 to 17.76 respectively. These ratios indicate various sources for the PAH. The two to three ring PAHs are the most abundant. Based on the PAH ratios and content alone it is not possible to distinguish between contribution from motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline spillage, used engine oil or petroleum production. However, considering the area of the study, it is very likely that the major source of soil contamination is originating from petroleum product.