title: Effect of vehicle exhaust on the quantity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil.
abstract: PAHs are formed during the incomplete combustion of organic substances containing carbon and hydrogen and are one of the first atmospheric pollutants identified as carcinogens. Most of the PAH environmental burden is found in the soil (95%). Soil samples collected from different roadsides were analyzed for seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The quantitative and qualitative analysis was carried out by UV Spectrophotometer. The individual PAH value ranged from 0.1 to 18.0 mg/kg. Phenenthrene and Pyrene were found to be the most abundant compounds. Vehicle emissions are the principal source of PAH in the Roadside soils. The highest concentration was found at site S2 (Hasthtnagri Roadside) which shows the highest traffic density.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Botanic Centre, PCSIR Laboratories Complex, 25201 Peshawar, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishaq
authors.forename: Murad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D010154:Pakistan; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D001335:Vehicle Emissions