Distribution of polycyclic aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface water and soil of petrochemical industrial area in Ballsh, Albania

One of the major environmental problems today is hydrocarbon contamination related to the petrochemical industry. This study investigated the spatial distribution of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 10 aliphatic hydrocarbons in soil and surface water nearby a petrochemical industrial region in Albania. All analyze were performed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection. The sum of PAHs’concentrations ranged from 5.73ng g-1 dry weight to 198.57 ng g-1 dry weight and from 44.43 mg L-1 to 466.95mg L-1 in soils and surface waters, respectively. The results showed that total aliphatic hydrocarbons concentrations varied from0.19ng g-1 dry weight to 79.73 ng g-1 dry weight in soils and 2.32mg L-1to 25.25mg L-1in surface waters. The composition pattern of PAHs by ring size was surveyed, as well. 4- and 5- rings PAH were dominated in soils and surface waters. The levels of PAHs in the petrochemical area of Ballsh were relatively higher in water in comparison with those reported around the world for similar studies. Likewise, the aliphatic hydrocarbons profile was predominated mainly from heavier n-alkanes in all sampling station. The origin of hydrocarbon contamination of the analyzed samples of Ballsh industrial area is related to the industrial activity and discharges.