The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 10 No 1 (2006): 41 – 46

 

 

 

CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PAHs IN SOILS AFFECTED BY GRASSLAND FIRE

 

Norhayati Mohd Tahir*, Tan Hock Seng, Marinah Ariffin,

Suhaimi Suratman and Lim Seang Hoe

 

Environmental Research Group (ERG),

Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia,

Mengabang Telipot, 21030 Kuala Terengganu

 

*Corresponding author:  hayati@kustem.edu.my

 

Abstract

A study has been carried out to determine the affect of grassland fire on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in roadside soils of Marang district. 15 surfacial soil samples were collected from Kuala Tengah in Pulau Kerengga to Kg. Baharu in Merchang, a stretch of area bordering to the national trunk road, which frequently suffered from grassland fires. Soil samples (< 5001m) were ultrasonicated using dichloromethane as solvent and the extracts fractionated on silica-alumina column. Detection and quantification of 16 priority PAHs compounds were carried out using GC-MS. Results indicated that concentration of PAHs in soils ranged from 30 to 450 1g kg-1  (dry weight) with almost all stations showing the presence of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a signature PAH compound associated with biomass burning. Benzo[g,h,i] perylene (BgP), a compound generally  associated with vehicular emission was also observed in some of the soil samples. These results indicate that both biomass burning and vehicular emission contributed to the presence of PAHs in these soils, however, a higher correlation observed for BaP and total PAHs compared to between BgP and total PAHs suggest that recent grassland fires in the area has an impact on the distribution of PAHs in the soils studied.

 

Keywords:  PAHs, soils, grassland fire, biomass burning, GC-MS detection

 

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