Monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater of industrial city, Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrocarbons with more than two benzene rings in their molecules and are a class of harmful organic pollutants widely distributed in nature. This research aims to determine the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs (Naphthalene, Anthracene, and Chrysene (2, 3, and 4 Rings respectively) in different sources of treated and untreated wastewater collected from different sources during the years of 2021 and 2022. Eleven wastewater sources were collected from different industrial treated wastewater, farms, main treatment plants, tanning factory treated wastewater, tanning factory non-treated wastewater, Carton factories, Factories Lake, and Grease refining plants. PAHs were extracted by QuEChERS methodology and Analyzed by GCMSMS/TQD. The results of PAHs concertation in wastewater ranged from 19.55 -278.29 µg/l for Naphthalene, 21.09 -223.69 µg/l for Anthracene, and 14.05-123.11 for Chrysene. Tanning factory non-treated wastewater had the highest concentration of examined 3 PAHs. Results showed also the highest PAHs concentrations was in tanning factory non-treated wastewater, followed by carton factories, tanning factory treated wastewater, Grease refining plants, Factories Lake, and then the main treatment plant. These outcomes of this study can be used to deliver significant guidelines concerning habitants of the area for possible measures for controlling PAHs contamination in Riyadh industrial city to protect human health and ensure environmental and wastewater sustainability.