Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Industrial Activities on Soil in Basrah City, Southern Iraq

The study was conducted to assess and identify the spreading and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and Total Organic Carbon in particular soils in some industrial sites in Basrah, southern Iraq: Siba Gas field, North Rumaila field, Basrah Gas Station, State company of Fertilizers, Shuaiba Refinery. Six soil samples were collected at a depth of 15 cm. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were determined using GC-MS, and the extraction process was done using a Soxhlet apparatus. Another significant factor influencing the distribution of aromatic compounds is the Total Organic Carbon content. The levels of Total Organic Carbon play a critical role in determining the availability and concentration of these compounds within the environment, as higher organic carbon content often correlates with increased production and preservation of aromatic substances. It was calculated using the Walkley and Black method. The highest concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was in the Al-Siba station, where the total concentration was 2.469 ppm. This high concentration of aromatic compounds is due to the presence of carcinogenic aromatic compounds (Chrysene, Naphthalene, 2-methyl, and 000090-12-0 Naphthalene) in high proportions in the soil of the Siba oil station. The lowest concentration of total aromatic compounds was about 0.559 ppm in the Fertilizer facility. The highest Total Organic Carbon% was found in the Shuaiba Refinery, North Rumaila, Basra Gas Station and Siba, whereas the lowest concentration was in the fertilizer factory as a result of the difference in the distribution of pollutants and oil spills.