Data relating to spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in terrestrial soils of Pakistan and King George Island, Antarctica

• Published in: Data in Brief
• Main Authors: Siwatt Pongpiachan, Woranuch Deelaman, Chomsri Choochuay, Natthapong Iadtem, Vanisa Surapipith, Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi, Muhammad Latif, Muhammad Sohail, Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah Eqani, Teetat Charoenkalunyuta, Kittiphop Promdee
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019
• Subjects: Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics; R858-859.7; Science (General); Q1-390; Antarctic; King George Island; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2019.104327; https://doaj.org/article/21a04456defc4642956747ff0456a46c

Over the past few decades, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been analysed in various environmental compartments, however, only limited information is available associated with their terrestrial concentrations in Pakistan and Antarctica. All terrestrial soils from Pakistan (n = 120) were collected from 14th to 2nd April 2017 at Islamabad (n = 30), Abbotabad (n = 10), Taxilla (n = 5), and other places from north to south (n = 75). All Antarctic terrestrial soils (n = 11) were collected from 1st to 25th February 2018 in the southwestern part of King George Island. It is crucial to underline that all samples were both qualitatively and quantitatively identified by using a Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 Ultra system coupled with a high-speed performance system with ASSP function (i.e., achieving maximum scan speed of 20,000 u sec−1) and having ultra-fast data acquisition speed for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC). Analytical results implicate the influences of vehicle exhausts as a major contributor of PAHs in terrestrial soils of Pakistan. It seems rationale to conclude that 3-ring PAHs display the majority of PAH congeners in terrestrial soils of King George Island. Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Terrestrial soils, Pakistan, King george island, Antarctica