Samples of compost-amended soil from waste dumping sites in Lagos Metropoli
s were extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 20 cm(3)) and the extract was ev
aporated at 35 degrees>C. The residue was extracted with 2,2,4-trimethylpen
tane, and portions of the solution were applied to a column containing sili
ca gel from which aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were eluted with n-he
xane and toluene respectively. Analysis of the n-hexane fraction using gas
chromatography showed the presence of a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons,
ranging from C-9 to C-25, while ultraviolet analysis of the toluene fractio
n suggested 1,2-benzanthracene; 2,3-benzphenanthrene, chrysene and pyrene a
s polyaromatic compounds present in samples analyzed. The crude extracts we
re highly coloured and viscous. Total extractable organic residues in the 2
,2,4-trimethylpentane extracts ranged from 36 to 89 mg g(-1) of soil.