The levels of some emerging organic pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were quantified in water and sediments from Ikpa River Basin, Nigeria as well as in soils, leachates and stormwater samples from nearby dumpsites using standard analytical protocols employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography /tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The levels of the contaminants were further subjected to mathematical models to predict possible sources and estimate potential risks to humans and aquatic species. The total PAHs level in water and sediment samples ranged from not-detected to 926.6 μg/dm3 and 1,099.7 μg/kg, respectively. Higher concentrations were recorded for nearby dumpsites: 3,025.8 μg/kg (Udo municipal landfill soil), 3,645.7 μg/kg (Anua hospital dumpsite soil) and 2,457.2 μg/dm3 (Udo landfill leachates). The results also revealed that nearby dumpsites could be the major source of contamination. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and PAH molecular diagnostic ratios (MDRs) suggest that PAHs loading in the River Basin were mostly of pyrogenic origin. Estimated cancer risks value recorded for oral ingestion of water reached the USEPA minimum risk level requiring public notification (3.14×10-5) while risks due to dermal absorption of PAHs from the sediments reached levels requiring remediation actions (2.10×10-1). The PAHs levels indicated some levels of risks. Seventeen compounds belonging to the class of EDCs/PPCPs were detected at nanogramme per dm3 levels. The ecological risk assessment reveals that bisphenol A, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, triclocarban and triclosan may pose detrimental effects to some aquatic organisms in the study area if remedial actions are neglected.

Quantification and risk assessment of emerging organic contaminants in Ikpa River basin, Niger Delta, Nigeria

249th National Meeting (2015)

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