ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL HYDROCARBONS IN SOIL FROM SELECTED AUTO WORKSHOP AREAS OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD

Abstract

The soil of automobile workshop areas is contributing to environmental deterioration. The present study was conducted to analyze petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil of some selected auto workshop areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Soil samples were collected from seventeen different workshop areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Analysis of soil samples was done through gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and results were represented by area normalization method. Results of the study indicated that saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found in soil samples taken from selected workshop areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Saturated hydrocarbons and cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons were relatively in a higher percentage than unsaturated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The average percentage concentration of saturated hydrocarbons in soil samples was 37 %, the average percentage concentration of cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons was 31 %, the average percentage concentration of unsaturated hydrocarbons was 20 % and the average percentage concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil was 12 %. The results of the study recommend great caution in handling and disposal of petroleum hydrocarbons at the workplace due to the probable toxicity of many of the detected substances. Regular monitoring of these petroleum contaminated soil by Pak-EPA was found to be inevitable.