ESTIMATION AND SOURCES OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) IN DUST AT FUEL FILLING STATIONS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify and quantify the concentrations and potential sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in dust particles at fuel filling stations in the Tamale Metropolis. Sixteen USEPA recognised PAHs were identified after samples were analysed and their potential sources identified using PAH isomeric ratios. Sample extraction was conducted using an Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE) and PAH levels in samples were further analysed using the GC-MS system. The total PAHs concentrations in the High-Vehicular Traffic Areas fuel filling stations ranged from 38.70 µg/kg to 1,423,280 µg/kg with an average concentration of 158,080 ± 102,650 µg/kg, while that of the Low-Vehicular Traffic Areas ranged from 305 µg/kg to 3,176,400 µg/kg with an average concentration of 370,220 ± 218,140 µg/kg. Amongst the 16 PAHs identified, Benzo(a)Anthracene had the highest concentration for both Traffic Areas. The average concentration of Benzo(a)Pyrene was 39,310 µg/kg and this was 200 times higher than that recorded from the US urban background soils. The PAH isomeric ratios indicated a strong influence from petroleum and combustion sources on PAH concentration in the fuel filling stations. It is therefore necessary that appropriate measures are taken with regards to pollution control and risk management at fuel filling stations. Keywords: Benzo(a)Anthracene, Benzo(a)Pyrene, Pyrene, Source Identification, Fuel Filling Stations

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Araucaria heterophylla Needles in Urban Areas: Evaluation of Sources and Road Characteristics

“…Moreover, there is a gas station located across the street from the sampling tree that could be contributing to the higher incidence of PAHs. For example, Cobbina et al [ 16 ] carried out a study on the concentration and potential sources of PAHs present in dust particles at gas stations in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana, in areas with low and high vehicular traffic. They found that petroleum was the largest contributor to PAH emissions in these areas, with a predominance of BaA in both area types.…”

“…In general, studies on the contribution of urban sources to the levels of PAHs do not consider non-traffic emission sources, such as cooking emissions [ 12 , 13 , 14 ] and gas stations [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Moreover, other non-source factors can also influence the levels of PAHs.…”

“…On the other hand, BaA, Chry, and BaP were chosen because they are commonly analyzed in works studying PAH emissions from cooking [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Moreover, BaA has been found to be predominant near gas stations [ 16 ], as well as Chry [ 15 ], which has also been found to be predominant in some biomonitoring studies [ 40 , 41 ]. Furthermore, BaP is one of the most potent carcinogens and is the usual marker for carcinogenic levels of PAHs in environmental studies [ 42 , 43 ].…”