Open AccessComparative Analysis of Seasonal Changes in Soil Contaminations from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Solid Waste Dumpsites in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Author(s) -
A.G Loremikan,
S. A. Ngah,
T. K. S. Abam,
I. U. Ubong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of innovative science and research technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-2165
DOI - 10.38124/ijisrt20jul616
Subject(s) - port harcourt , wet season , chrysene , environmental science , dry season , pollution , environmental chemistry , municipal solid waste , soil test , seasonality , contamination , toxicology , chemistry , mathematics , soil water , biology , phenanthrene , soil science , ecology , statistics , socioeconomics , sociology
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are generated in solid waste dumpsites where disused wastes are dumped. This study investigated the concentration levels of PAHs in the soil at solid waste dumpsites located in Markets, Semi-industrial and Residential areas in Rainy and Dry seasons. Materials and Method Fifteen soil samples were collected in each season and analyzed using Gas Chromatography at the Rivers State University, Institute of Pollution Studies Research Laboratory. Each of the season laboratory data were analysed using descriptive statistics viz mean ± standard deviation as well as inferential statistics such as 2 sample T-test at 5% level of significance. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Components Analysis ( PCA)where applied on the measured data to determine the sources of contamination as well as the level of pollution by comparing with the control sites. Results High Molecular weight (HMW) PAHs which are toxicologically relevant were detected in all the three classified dumpsites in both seasons with highest value of Chrysene in residential dumpsites during rainy season and Dibenez(a,h)anthracene in dry season. Each of classified dumpsites has average total PAHs values greater than 1mg/kg (>1) in Rainy season while in dry season, only market dumpsites have an average greater than 1mg/kg. The order of the level of pollution in rainy season is observed to be: Control site