Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils around a coal-fired thermal power plant, Haryana, India:...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are long-lasting organic pollutants which have toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects, making them of significant concern for both environmental and human health. This study determined the PAH levels in soils around the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant, Khedar, Hisar (Haryana, India). Among 16 USEPA PAHs, 9 were detected. Descriptive statistics used in the study revealed that the concentration of Σ9PAHs in soils varied from 3354 to 44,648 μg kg^-1 with a mean of 7513.51 μg kg^-1. Diagnostic ratios (LMW/HMW = 0.61) revealed the prevalence of high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs, which validated a signature of combustion. The correlation patterns suggested a common pyrogenic source for most of the PAHs, with DahA suggesting another, sporadic one. PCA revealed two major source categories, coal-fired emissions and traffic contributions. Overall, the study reveals that 39 soil samples collected from the agricultural lands around the thermal power plant are dominated by high-molecular-weight PAHs. The lack of a big traffic route, as well as industrial activities in the area, indicates little impact from other sources. As a result, the PAH profile is primarily explained by pyrogenic sources, which can be attributed to the emissions from the thermal power plant. The ecological and carcinogenicity risks of PAHs in soils surrounding the RGTPP area were assessed by applying the risk quotient approach and the toxic equivalency approach. Some of the PAHs had risk levels above safe levels, and when they are combined, the ecological threat is very high. There is an imperative necessity for strategic management and remediation of the PAH polluted soil in the surroundings of RGTPP.