Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in soils from Southeastern Romania

► GC-MS was used for PAH determination in soils from SE Romania. ► Emphasis was made on sites near a steel plant and Lower Prut Meadow natural reserve. ► Total PAH concentrations were in the range 0.003-38.524 mg/kg dry weight. ► The sources of PAHs in soils are of both pyrogenic and petrogenic origin.