Presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in top soils from rural terrains in Mexico City.
A soil survey was carried out to determine the levels and sources and concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in 2 semi-rural terrains in Mexico City (Tlahuac and Milpa Alta) during 2008-2009. PAH determination was made by Soxhlet extraction and chromatographic clean-up with final analysis by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The concentrations in Tlahuac were 9.13 mg/kg (dry season) and 11.22 mg/kg (wet season) and in Milpa Alta were 11.43 mg/kg (dry season) and 35.77 mg/kg (wet season). The variation of total PAH concentrations are due to environmental and anthropogenic conditions within Mexico City and also the addition of compost to the soils. According to Mexican regulations BaP, DaA, BbF and Ind were within the permissible limit (2 mg/kg) for agricultural and residential soils and BkF was close to the limit (8 mg/kg). The total PAH concentrations do however surpass the permissible European limit of 1,000 μg/kg and there is probably some risk to human health, in spite of measures aimed at decreasing contamination in Mexico City. Long term monitoring of soils will be necessary.
Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100. Colonia Villa Quietud, 04960, Coyoacán, México D.F., Mexico. guppyabanico@gmail.com
Rutilio
R
Ortiz
Salvador
S
Vega
Rey
R
Gutiérrez
Richard
R
Gibson
Beatriz
B
Schettino
María de Lourdes
Mde L
Ramirez
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008800:Mexico; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants