Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Soils and Water of an Old Transformer Oil Storage

Site in Lagos, Nigeria

A. A. Adeyiab, B. A. Babalolaa* and O. Osibanjoab aDepartment of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

bBasel Convention Coordinating Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the African Region, Federal Ministry

Of Environment-University of Ibadan Linkage Centre for Cleaner Production Technology and Hazardous Waste

Management (BCCC-Africa) E-mail: babafemibabalola@gmail.com;

aa.oketola@ui.edu.ng

OUTLINE Introduction Experimental Results and Discussion Conclusion Recommendation Reference

INTRODUCTION

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): are a large class of compounds

produced by partial or complete chlorination of biphenyl molecule

Introduction Cont’d have formula C12H10-nCln, where n

ranges from 1 to 10 have 209 congeners with about 130

been identified in commercial products (Neumier, 1998)

Introduction Cont’d

were first synthesized in 1864 (WHO, 1993)

were commercially produced in the United States in 1929 in response to the electrical industry’s need (Senu et al., 2014)

Introduction Cont’d

production was banned in the United States in 1977, due to potential health hazard, such as: disturbances in the liver, nausea, vomiting jaundice, fatigue and alteration of lipid

metabolism hormonal changes respiratory tract infection known carcinogen (IARC, 2005).

Introduction Cont’d

International concerns for PCBs are the potential adverse effects they can have on various organisms, including humans, such as: endocrine disrupting capacities tendency to accumulate in living

organisms (Zaborski et al., 2011; Zani et al., 2013).

Introduction Cont’d PCBs are not produced in Nigeria but its

source has been attributed mainly to the importation and use of transformers and capacitors containing PCB transformer oils (Adeyemi, et al., 2009).

Introduction Cont’d Studies have shown that PCBs are present in

Nigerian environment (Osibanjo, 1994; Fagbote & Olanipekun, 2010). This may be due to:

opoor handling of damaged electrical equipment

o leakages o spillage during refilling o indiscriminate dumping of PCB containing

waste (Bentum, et al., 2012).

Introduction Cont’d

This study therefore investigated and assessed the extent of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination of soil and groundwater in an old transformer oil storage site in Lagos, Nigeria.

EXPERIMENTAL

In September, 2013, from the locations where drums containing old transformer oil were stored in Transmission Work Centre located at Akangba, Surulere, Lagos State, 8 topsoil (X1 to X8) and 3 subsoil samples were collected.

Fig 1: Picture of Akangba Transmission Work Centre

Experimental Cont’d

For the subsoil samples, borehole was drilled from 0 m to 1.8 m. Soil samples were collected within the

central part of a 1.5 m split-core.

Fig 2: Soil sample collection

Experimental Cont’d

Samples were collected into aluminum foil, sealed, labeled and placed in an ice chest cooler. Samples were transported to the Geo

Environmental Research Centre Laboratory, BCCC-Africa, University of Ibadan for analysis.

Experimental Cont’d

30 g of the soil was extracted with 50 mL of hexane- acetone mixture (1:1 v/v) in ultrasonic bath for 3 minutes (EPA 3550). Extract was cleaned up by column

chromatography using silica gel and hexane as eluting solvent.

Experimental Cont’d

Extracts were analyzed for PCBs using Agilent 7890A GC coupled with 5975 MSD.

Samples were analysed in duplicate with

blank determination.

Experimental Cont’d

Water samples were collected from monitoring wells into 500 mL amber glass bottles Preserved with 1 mL concentrated HCl Bottles sealed, labeled, placed in an ice

chest cooler and transported to the laboratory.

Experimental Cont’d

200 mL of the water sample was extracted with 10 mL of dichloromethane in separating funnel (EPA 3510). Extract was cleaned up and analyzed for

PCBs using Agilent 7890A GC coupled with 5975 MSD. Samples were analysed in duplicate with

blank determination.

RESULT S AND DISCUSSION

Fig. 4 and 5 summarize the analytical results of the mean of the total PCBs concentrations in the soil samples The results were compared to the Alberta

Environmental AENV (2009, 2014) standard for industrial soil of 33 mg/kg.

Fig 4. Top soil Means Conc. of the Total PCBs

0

20

40

X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X8

PCB

s con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/kg

)

Top soil sampling point

Mean of total PCBs AENV standard (33 mg/kg)

Fig 5. Subsoil Means Conc. of the Total PCBs

0

10

20

30

40

0-0.5 m 0.5-0.84 m 0.84-1.8

m

PCB

s con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/kg

)

Sub soil sampling point

Mean of total PCBs AENV standard (33 mg/kg)

Results and Discussion Cont’d

All samples collected have PCBs concentrations that were lower than AENV (2009, 2014) standard for industrial soil except point X3 that was fairly higher (Fig.4).

Results and Discussion Cont’d

The means of the total PCBs concentrations in the groundwater samples were compared to the AENV (2009, 2014) standard for industrial groundwater of 0.0094 mg/L (Fig.6). PCBs concentrations exceeded the

maximum contaminated limit for groundwater.

Fig 6. Water Means Conc. of the Total PCBs

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

P1 P2 P

CB

s co

nce

ntr

atio

n (m

g/L)

Water sampling well

Mean of total PCBs

AENV standard (0.0094 mg/L)

CONCLUSION Total PCB concentrations in soil range from

1.00 mg/kg to 39.0 mg/kg Total PCBs in water samples range from 0.13

mg/L to 0.35 mg/L. Using AENV (2009, 2014) standard for

industrial soil (33 mg/kg) and groundwater (0.0094 mg/L), PCBs contamination found in soil samples at point X3 and in the two monitoring well can be attributed to PCB-containing transformer oil stored at the site.

RECOMMENDATION Sampling and analysis of the boreholes

and wells in the immediate area of the study site should be carried out systematically.

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