Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in citrus fruit irrigated with fresh water under arid conditions: Concentrations, sources, and risk assessment

In Jordan, as well in all the world countries, consumption of citrus fruits is an essential part daily diet, so it important to assess potential risk persistent organic pollutants such polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) these human health and identify their sources order eliminate or reduce them. This study reports 16 priority PAHs content four types peeled grown Jordan valley. were detected studied samples variable quantities depending on type fruits. The results showed that highest PAH level corresponded acenaphthene (35.018 µg/kg) grapefruit. Among carcinogenic PAHs, benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) most representative found analyzed fruit, soil, water samples, whereas anthracene (ANT) was not at all. mean ∑16 for different be 62.593 µg kg−1 grapefruit, 24.840 lemon, 22.901 mandarin, 5.082 orange. dominance naphthalene (NAP) (ACE) soil under hot climatic conditions indicates recent continuous input investigated area. bioconcentration factor (BCF) observed grapefruit > lemon mandarin Based principal component analysis (PCA), primary agricultural soils mainly originated from biomass burning vehicular emissions. incremental lifetime cancer (ILCR) indicated may expose risk. findings this call policymakers public administrations formulation stringent policies actions control