Source apportionment, health and ecological risk assessments of essential and toxic elements in kerosene-contaminated soils

Abstract The levels of essential and toxic elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, and Ni) were determined in kerosene-contaminated soils with the aim of identifying their possible sources and associated health and ecological risks. Ni was undetected in the studied soils. Fe had the highest mean concentration (14,172 ± 6110.13 mg/kg) while Co had the least mean concentration (1.42 ± 3.17 mg/kg) in the studied soils. The studied soils showed varying degrees of contamination/pollution based on the results of contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, modified degree of contamination, and pollution load index. Source apportionment using cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and positive matrix factorization identified vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, biomass/waste incineration, and natural sources as the major contributors to pollution of the soils. Health risk assessment showed that there were no noncarcinogenic risks associated with ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure to the studied soils (HI < 1). Ingestion and dermal exposure were identified as the principal exposure pathways to non-carcinogenic health risks. Fe had the highest individual contribution to potential health risks (RR = 57.63%). Ecological risk assessment indicated low ecological risks by the metals in the studied soils (RI < 150).