PAHs in urban soils of two Florida cities: background concentrations, distribution, and sources

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous organic contaminants, which are found in soils throughout the U.S. The objective of this study was to determine the background concentrations, distributions, and sources of 16 USEPA priority PAHs in two urban soils. A total of 114 soil samples were collected from two large cities in Florida - Orlando and Tampa. The results showed that soils were dominated by high molecular weight PAHs in both cities. The average ∑16-PAHs in Orlando and Tampa soils were 3227 and 4562 μg kg−1, respectively. The averages of 7 carcinogenic PAHs based on the benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent (BaP-EQ) concentrations in the two cities were 452 and 802 μg kg−1. BaP-EQ concentrations in 60–62% of samples were higher than the Florida Soil Cleanup Target Level (FSCTL) for residential soils at 100 μg kg−1 and 20–25% of samples were higher than FSCTL for industrial soils at 700 μg kg−1. Based on molecular diagnostic ratios and PMF modeling, major sources of soil PAHs in both cities were similar, mainly from pyrogenic sources including vehicle emissions, and biomass and coal combustion. Based on ArcGIS mapping, PAH concentrations in soils near business districts and high traffic roads were higher. Thus, it is important to consider background PAH concentrations in urban soils when considering soil remediation.