Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in River Niger, Nigeria: Occurrence, distribution and composition profiles

Abstract

Contamination of rivers with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is an issue of current global concern. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are POPs with origin from commercial, incineration and industrial sources. Hence, there is a need for monitoring their occurrence and distribution in the environment. This study assessed the occurrence, distribution and composition profiles of PCBs in River Niger, Nigeria. Surface and bottom water samples were collected in consecutive quarters for a period of 2 years, covering the beginning and end of the rainy seasons and the dry seasons, from five locations (Gurara, Lokoja, Onitsha, Brass and Nicolas) along River Niger. A total of 240 water samples were collected using a Van Dorn water sampler. EPA method 3510c was used with slight modifications for sample preparation and analysis. The PCBs were analysed using a Hewlett Packard GC 5890 Series 11 with electron capture detection, and confirmation was made using a Shimadzu GCMS QP2010. The higher molecular weight marker PCBs (∑CB 138, 153 and 180) were more dominant than the lighter homologues (∑CB 28, 52 and 101), while commercial sources Co-PCBs (80.8 ± 61.7 to 288.3 ± 102.0 ng L) were more dominant than the incineration sources (34.9 ± 3.82 to 75.5 ± 65.2 ng L). The POPs load in River Niger water varied in both time and space. In surface water of the River Niger, ∑PCBs were higher during the rainy season, as a result of storm run-off from land-based sources. In the Brass and Nicolas Rivers during the dry season, the ∑PCBs were higher during low tide. There was no noticeable pattern during the rainy season. It may be concluded from this study that the water of River Niger is not good for human consumption or abstraction of water from the river for drinking water treatment.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Brackish Water Fish in the River Niger, Nigeria

“…High levels of PCBs in the water of the River Niger have recently been reported, along with other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as organochlorine pesticides. 8 , 9 There is a need to determine if PCBs are bioaccumulated in the fish species of the River Niger. This study, therefore, aims to determine PCB levels in the brackish water fish of the River Niger.…”

Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides in Brackish Water Fish from Niger River, Nigeria

“…Our previous studies [ 6 – 8 ] determined the occurrence and distribution of persistent organic pollutants (OCPs and PCBs in particular) in Niger River, and high levels of the pollutants were recorded. It is important to investigate if the pollutants are accumulated in the aquatic organisms, especially those that are usually consumed by humans (fish in particular).…”

Investigation of Organochlorine pesticides in sediment in Cau Hai lagoon, Central Vietnam

“…However, the analysis results showed the presence of other active substances such as HCHs, Heptachlor, Aldrin, Endosulfan. In recent priods the water dynamics is decreasing again and the sediments In general, sediments in ponds and lakes are considered as places for sustainable storage of organic matter such as pesticides and will affect human health through bioaccumulation (Farshid, 2015;Unyimadu et al, 2018). Because of the rapid industrial development, the risks of pollution levels need to alarm for local community around lagoon areas (Thanh et al, 2004).…”