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.