Impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions from biomassburning on soil and water quality in Niger Delta’s Agricultural Region

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds composed of fused aromatic rings, formed during the incomplete combustion of organic materials such as coal, oil, gas, wood, and biomass. This paper reviewed the impact of PAHs in the Niger-Delta Region in the Southern part of Nigeria and explored the activities that released them into the environment. The primary sources of PAHs in the Niger Delta are: Oil Extraction and Gas Flaring, Artisanal Crude Oil Refining, Agricultural Practices (Bush Burning and Biomass Burning), Vehicle Emissions and Industrial Activities, Waste Disposal and Landfills. The spatiotemporal distribution of PAHs in the Niger Delta reflects complex interactions between emission sources, seasonal weather patterns, and landscape characteristics, creating dynamic contamination gradients across the region. It is observed that PAHs in Nigeria waters, soil, and air are above the recommended permissible limits by different regulatory agencies in the developed countries such as European Union, United Kingdom, Netherland, Sweden, Canada, China and the World Health Organization (WHO), this call for concern. The PAHs pose enormous challenges in the region especially its negative effects on Agricultural practices and food sustainability as most communities dependent on subsistence agriculture, and lack access to soil and water remediation technologies or alternative livelihood options.