Concentration and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soil near a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill

Due to a continuous demand of land for infrastructural and residential development there is a public concern about the condition of surface soil near municipal solid waste landfills. A total of 12 surface (0–20cm) soil samples from a territory near a landfill were collected and the concentration of 16 PAHs and 7 PCB congeners were investigated in these samples. Limits of detection were in the range of 0.038–1.2μg/kg for PAHs and 0.025–0.041μg/kg for PCBs. The total concentration of ∑PAHs ranged from 892 to 3514μg/kg with a mean of 1974μg/kg. The total concentration of ∑PCBs ranged from 2.5 to 12μg/kg with a mean of 4.5μg/kg. Data analyses allowed to state that the PAHs in surface soils near a landfill were principally from pyrogenic sources. Due to air transport, PAHs forming at the landfill are transported outside the landfill. PCB origin is not connected with the landfill. Aroclor 1242 can be the source of PCBs in several samples. [Display omitted] •The highest concentrations were 3.5mg/kg (Σ16PAHs) and 12μg/kg (Σ7PCBs).•The most dominant PAHs were molecules with 2–3 rings.•PAHs in surface soils were principally from pyrogenic sources.•Aroclor 1242 can be the source of PCBs in several samples.