Determination of Some Aromatic Hydrocarbon in Water of Tigris River near Al-Dora refinery

Abstract

This study aims to assess the concentrations of some Poly Aromatic
Hydrocarbons in water, in order to monitor effectively and provide possible
recommendations to improve the water quality in the aquatic ecosystem of Tigris
River near Al-Dora refinery. Distribution and concentration of the sixteen polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in surface water. Solid-phase extraction
was used for water samples, and then analyzed by HPLC. Results showed that the
highest and the most dominant (PAH) was ancephthlnene (3-ring PAH), with
concentration of (40.33 ng/l), while the lowest concentration was for Indeno (1, 2, 3-
cd) pyrene (5-ring PAH), with (0.33 ng/l). The highest and the lowest mean
concentrations of PAHs were observed in autumn and summer, respectively. Ratios
of specific PAH compound including Phenantharene/Anthracene and
Fluoranthene/Pyrene were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of PAHs
contamination. These ratios reflect a petrogenic origin of PAHs for water samples in
December 2012, February 2013, April 2013 and October 2013, while in June 2013
and August 2013 attributed to pyrolytic origins.