Levels of PAHs in soil samples from the vicinity of oil refinery Novi Sad-Serbia

The levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the priority list of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were determined in soil samples collected in Novi Sad (the capital of Vojvodina Province, Serbia), a region with chemical industry and oil refinery. Samples were also collected in an urban/residential zone and in a presumably unpolluted site (control sample). The sampling sites were chosen in order to study the influence of the oil refinery on PAH levels. The contents of PAHs were determined by GC/FID. Benzo(a) pyrene known to be carcinogenic formed 2-13% of the sum concentration of the identified PAHs for all investigated samples. Basic physical-chemical properties like organic matter content, pH and water content were determined for each composite soil sample. No significant correlation was observed between these variables and the PAH-load of soils. Data obtained were compared with ones previously found for soils in Novi Sad, as well as with soils collected throughout the world and compared to target values set by the Dutch authorities for unpolluted soil. The total carcinogenic potency for each sampling site was calculated and compared with the reference value obtained on the base of the target concentrations.