Publication details
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Concentrations in Surface Soils from the Southwest Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00128-026-04185-3 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-026-04185-3 |
| Keywords | PAHs; Soils; Petrogenic; Pyrogenic; Land-use |
| Description | This study investigated the concentrations and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils collected from nine sampling sites in the southwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina, representing areas with varying levels of anthropogenic pressure. Analyses were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), covering a total of 29 PAHs (27 parent PAHs, 1 thio-PAHs and biphenyl), from di-aromatics to hepta-aromatics. The results showed that all analyzed soils contained detectable amounts of PAHs, with concentrations ranging from 25.38 to 589.41 ng/g dry weight. The highest levels of PAHs were recorded in Bah & iacute;a Blanca City, the most populated area, which also has a high density of industries. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a PAH distribution with a clear gradient, with urban sites predominantly containing pyrogenic PAHs (4-5 ring compounds), while more remote locations exhibited petrogenic PAHs (2-3 rings). The clear separation between groups suggests that land use is a determining factor in pollution profiles. Molecular indices indicated that PAHs in the most anthropized sites were primarily derived from combustion sources, including biomass, coal, and petroleum. In contrast, petrogenic PAH sources became more dominant in areas removed from industrial activities. |
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