Determination of benzene derivatives in geothermal waters of Lake Bogoria hot springs

Lake Bogoria geothermal springs are a cultural heritage site in Kenya, offering benefits such as tourism, therapeutic use of hot spring water and recreational activities. However, the hot spring water contains dissolved minerals and potentially harmful organic compounds that can pose risks to humans and the environment, including flamingos. The benzene derivatives present in the water may undergo transformation and bioaccumulation, leading to long-term ecological impacts. This study focuses on the determination of benzene derivatives in Lake Bogoria geothermal springs using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Quantitative analysis revealed a total mean concentration of 0.368±0.29 ppm for all identified benzene derivatives. Concentrations were found to be below the recommended limits set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Among the sampling points, SP4 exhibited the highest total mean concentration (0.120±0.08 ppm). 1,2,4,5-Tetramethylbenzene showed the highest relative abundance (19.97%), while 2-ethyl-1,3-dimethylbenzene had the lowest contribution (1.78%).