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Soil is one of the most fundamental elements as well as with water and air in studies associated with the environment, in addition, it is one of the important environmental mediums that constructs a basis of the biological system and performs various roles of matter circulation. This study was carried out in Seoul, in May 2000 to evaluate variation in the concentration levels and distribution characteristics for PAH compounds in soil. Soil samples were collected from 33 sites covering traffic, factory, incineration and mountain groups and the PAHs were analyzed. The results show a wide distribution range of PAHs concentrations between 14.66 ng/g and 1,219.35 ng/g. The highest concentration levels exist at Sungsu-2 of the factory group (FS-2). Daemo-3 of the Mountain group (MD-3) presents the lowest levels as compared with the other sites. PAH compounds including mutagenic and carcinogenic materials show high concentrations in the traffic and factory groups and a high ratio in the mountain group. Besides, these compounds absorbed with micro particles might be spread out over a wide region associated with particles’ movement and diffusion. After principal component analysis of the soil samples, the results indicated that the sources of PAHs in the soil were divided into two groups, pesticides and vehicles.
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