Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Groundwater of Fuel-Impacted Areas in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in groundwater samples from selected fuel stations in Ado-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria, were analyzed to investigate the impact of increased anthropogenic activities. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the PAHs and PCBs were done using gas chromatography coupled with appropriate detectors. The PAHs concentrations ranged from ND − 0.98 mg/L, while the PCBs ranged from ND − 164 µg/L. The study reflected that NNPC sampling point had the least contaminated with PCBs, whereas 5Os evinced the highest. The concentrations of the high molecular weight PAHs were generally high compared to low molecular weight PAHs. Using specific ratio distribution, PAH fingerprints suggest pyrogenic origin. Further statistical analysis revealed that 69.0% of the PCBs congeners showed significant difference among the sampling sites with RIHD and 5Os contributing values responsible for the significant levels, while Chi-square revealed no significant difference in the PAHs levels.

Keywords:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• polychlorinated biphenyls
• groundwater
• gas chromatograph
• fuel stations

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the technical assistance rendered by the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) Central Laboratory, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.