polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) in soil: sources, analytical techniques, environmental impact, and remediation strategies

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) are persistent organic pollutants that pose significant environmental and health risks due to their toxicity, carcinogenicity, and bio-accumulation potential. these contaminants originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources, including industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, petroleum spills, and biomass combustion. once released into the environment, pahs accumulate in soils, where their behavior is influenced by soil properties, organic matter content, and microbial activity. their strong hydrophobic nature leads to prolonged persistence, increasing the risk of groundwater contamination and food chain transfer. this study explores the sources, fate, and transport mechanisms of pahs in soil, along with analytical techniques for their detection, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (gc-ms) and high-performance liquid chromatography (hplc). the study also discusses regulatory guidelines, health risks, and various remediation strategies such as bioremediation, chemical oxidation, and nanotechnology-based treatments. advanced monitoring and sustainable remediation approaches are essential for minimizing pah contamination and ensuring soil quality preservation. future research should focus on eco-friendly and cost-effective remediation technologies to mitigate pah pollution in contaminated environments.