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May 12, 2026Open Access

Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) Levels in Soil Contaminated with Electronic Waste (E-Waste), South-Eastern, Nigeria

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil impacted by e-waste.
Soil samples were collected at three depths: 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm.
Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of PAH concentrations.
Experiments were conducted across different seasons to assess variations in PAH levels.
The concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 404 to 32,250 µg/kg across different depths and seasons.
The highest PAH level of 3,934 µg/kg was detected for phenanthrene in wet season shallow soils.
The hazard index indicated a non-carcinogenic risk for children with values greater than 1 and less than 1 for adults.

Abstract

E-waste is an emerging environmental problem, as it is composed of a heterogeneous mix of different metals, metalloid, glass and plastic, which are useful and hazardous to the environment. The article aimed at evaluating the levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil contaminated with e-waste obtained at different depths (0 – 10 cm, 10 – 20 cm & 20 – 30 cm) and the evaluation was done in soil samples with the help of gas chromatograph coupled with a mass analyzer. The concentrations of the 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ranged from 404 – 32, 250 µg/kg, There was significant variation in the mean values of the 16 PAHs under study across seasons. At 0 – 10 cm in the dry season, the mean values ranged from 30.0 µg/kg (benzo(k)fluoranthene) High Molecular Weight (HMW) PAHs to 1,675 µg/kg (acenanphthylene) Low Molecular Weight (LMW) PAHs. While in wet season, it ranged from non detectable limit (naphthalene) LMW PAHs to 3,934 µg/kg (phenanthalene) LMW PAHs. The trend of PAHs percentage distributions was 3-rind PAHs > 7-ring PAHs > 2-ring PAHs > 4-ring PAHs > 5-ring PAHs > 6-ring PAHs. The hazard index HI-non carcinogenic risk for children was > 1 and for adult is dermal > inhalation. The PAHs cancer risk in this study revealed moderate to very high level. It can be concluded that the e-waste dumping activities have contributed contaminant of PAHs to the soil. Hence dumping activates should be properly monitored.

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