Abstract
The contamination of eight heavy metals and ten polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was assessed in soils from three dominant land-use types in Ngong. Levels of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer and gas chromatography, respectively. A correlation test revealed a positive relationship between heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Concentrations of zinc, copper, arsenic, chromium, nickel, lead, mercury, and cadmium ranged from 32.5–119.29, 8.73–56.75, 9.57–21.85, 2.73–21.50, 2.69–14.29, 3.43–13.47, 0.10–1.33, and 0.46–0.96 mg kg−1, respectively. The agricultural area exhibited the highest metal pollution levels. The pollution index indicated ecological risk from arsenic and mercury. Children faced a higher risk of exposure to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards. Commercial soils showed significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination with a mean of 0.24 mg kg−1. Agricultural and commercial lands had elevated levels of fluorene (0.07 mg kg−1), while residential soils had elevated levels of acenaphthene (0.06 mg kg−1). The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons profile suggested contamination from petroleum and pyrolytic sources. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons cancer risk assessment indicated a potential threat to individuals through inhalation.
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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Mungai, T.M., Yang, Y., Ngumbau, V.M. et al. Evaluation of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pollution in residential, agricultural and commercial soils in Ngong, Kenya. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 21, 2863–2880 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05152-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05152-9