Abstract:
This article covers the status of PAH concentrations and composition patterns in
surface water, air, sediment, and soil samples from South Africa. Despite South
Africa being one of the largest economies in Africa, it is only recently that researchers
have reported the presence and possible sources of these compounds in
various environmental compartments. This article discusses the potential hotspots
and possible sources of these compounds. It also compares the total PAH concentrations
and percentage composition patterns of the individual PAHs. So far, total
concentrations of five PAHs determined in sediment samples from the Johannesburg
area, Gauteng Province, gave the highest concentrations ranging from 1233–136,
276 μgkg1
. The total concentration of six PAHs found in runoff water from the
Venda region of the Limpopo Province, gave the highest concentration with a range of
28.7–3192.6 μgL1
. The decreasing order of percentage composition of PAHs in water
samples tended to follow 3-ring > 4-ring > 2-ring PAHs. In soil samples the decreasing
order of percentage composition followed 4-ring > 3-ring > 5-ring > 2-ring > 6-ring
PAHs. The total freely dissolved PAHs followed solubility of the compounds with 2-ring
> 3-ring > 4-ring > 5-ring > 6-ring PAHs. Some of the identified sources of PAHs using
molecular ratios include petrogenic emissions such as from petroleum combustion from
vehicles and pyrolytic sources such as coal combustion by coal powered power stations,
as well as iron and steel production industries. Oil spills were also identified as major
PAH contributor in runoff water from the Venda region of the Limpopo Province.
