Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water, Soils and Surface Sediments of the Msunduzi River
Journal Title: UNKNOWN - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 4
Abstract
The concentration of seven Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (namely Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Pyrene and Chrysene) were determined in 28 surface waters, 8 wastewaters, 26 soils and 26 surface sediments from the Msunduzi River, a major supply of portable water in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. Water samples were extracted using a conventional liquid-liquid extraction technique into Dichloromethane (DCM) while soils and surface sediments were extracted with an equal mixture of DCM and nhexane using the Soxhlet extraction technique. Purified extracts were analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Trace levels of PAHs were detected in some water, river bank soils and surface sediments. The concentration of PAHs was found to be comparatively higher in the soils and surface sediments than in the water. The concentration levels as well as distribution of the selected PAHs varied from season to season, however with no clear pattern. The occurrence pattern of PAHs along the river points to human-related activities as the major input sources of PAHs into Msunduzi water. Paired-up isomeric concentration ratios for surface sediments suggested pyrolysis as the major input source of PAHs, especially at sites closer to the city of Pietermaritzburg (PMB).
Authors and Affiliations
Alexis Munyengabe, Allen Mambanda, Brenda Moodley
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP357699
- DOI 10.4172/2380-2391.1000227
- Views 55
- Downloads 0
Piperazine Polymerization Catalyzed by Maghnite-H
New polymers polypiperazines were synthesized in the presence of a non-toxic catalyst Maghnite-H+ from the addition of dihalogenated compounds such as 1,6-dichlorohexane and 1,2-dibromopropane to piperazine, after the co...
Sorption of Pb2+, Co2+ and Cr2+ Using Cissus populnea Stem Bark Powder as Bio-Sorbent
Sorption of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cr2+ in aqueous solution using immobilized Cissus populnea stem bark powder as a bio-sorbent was studied. The maximum sorption capacity of ICPSB on Pb2+, Co2+ and Cr2+ are 94.20%, 88.19% and 78...
Chemical Characterization of Atmospheric Particulate Matter for K, Cu, Ni and Zn Metals Collected from Agricultural, Semi-Urban and Commercial Locations in NW India
Atmospheric particulate samples (comprising ≤ 100 micron size particles) were collected from different locations in Patiala, India during 2006-2007 covering rural, agricultural, urban, semi-urban, residential and commerc...
Analysis of Quality of Drinking Water Taken from Different Academic Institutes of District Vehari, Pakistan
Five samples of drinking water (DW) were taken from five different academic institutes of District Vehari, Pakistan which are; Sample-1 from University of Education Vehari Campus; Sample-2 from Government Post Graduate C...
Seasonal and Spatial Dynamics of Physico-Chemical Characteristics As A Factor for Water Quality Deterioration In Legedadi Reservoir, Ethiopia
The water quality of Legedadi Reservoir, which provides more than seventy five percent of the water supplies to Addis Ababa City, is deteriorating from time and time. The reservoir has suffered water quality problems for...