Atmospheric Polychlorinated Naphthalenes in Ghana (original) (raw)
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Polychlorinated Naphthalenes in the Atmosphere of the United Kingdom
Environmental Science & Technology, 2000
Archived extracts from two air sampling campaigns were used to investigate PCNs in the U.K. atmosphere. In the first study, daily air samples were collected at a semi-rural location (Hazelrigg) in northwest England in 1994. Air parcel back-trajectories were used to distinguish air masses that stemmed from distinct sectors, and 18 samples representing four regions (Arctic/Scandinavia; Atlantic; mainland Europe; U.K.) were selected for PCN analysis. The mean for all samples was ∑PCN ) 59 pg m -3 and ∑PCN/ ∑PCB ) 0.31 with a profile that was dominated by the 3-Cl and 4-Cl PCN homologue groups. Atmospheric concentrations of PCN and the ratio ∑PCN/∑PCB were lowest for samples that had trajectories that stemmed from the Arctic/Scandinavia sectors20 pg m -3 and 0.24, respectively. Highest values were observed for air that lingered over the U.K. before arriving at the sampling sites 108 pg m -3 and 0.41, respectively. These results are consistent with elevated PCN burdens in the eastern Arctic Ocean for air samples that stemmed from the U.K. region and suggest that the U.K. is a significant emission source of PCNs. On the basis of this study, we also conclude that a ∑PCN/∑PCB ratio of 0.2-0.25 is characteristic of background air resulting from diffuse emission sources and that a ratio much greater than 0.25 indicates an increasing contribution from "nondiffuse" or "point sources" of PCNs. In the second study, extracts were obtained for 1998-1999 from four stations operated under the TOMPS monitoring programsManchester (urban), Hazelrigg (semirural), Stoke Ferry (rural), and High Muffles (rural). PCN air burdens were highest at Manchester (138-160 pg m -3 ) and decreased to ∼22-35 pg m -3 at the rural sites. FIGURE 1. Structure of polychlorinated naphthalenes showing the numbering of the chlorine substitution positions. Substitution in the r or peri positions leads to greater distortion of the molecule.
Evidence for Major Emissions of PCBs in the West African Region
Environmental Science & Technology, 2011
In previous studies unexpectedly high air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were observed in shipbased measurements made ∼400 km off parts of the West African coast. To investigate further (i) samples were taken on board the RV Polarstern during a cruise from Germany to South Africa in October-November 2007; (ii) samples were obtained on Cape Verde Island during the same period to monitor airflows from Africa; and (iii) passive samplers were deployed in four West African countries to try to characterize potential sources on land. Results were as follows: on Cape Verde and on the ship air masses came predominantly (∼ 95%) from the African continent; the shipboard Σ 29 PCB concentrations off West Africa ranged from 10 to 360 pg m -3 and from 6 to 99 pg m -3 in Cape Verde; the highest land-based concentrations were observed in Ivory Coast and the Gambia (up to 300 pg m -3 ) and the lowest was observed in Ghana (9 pg m -3 ). Taken together, these and previous studies indicate there are more major emission(s) of PCBs and different source types in parts of West Africa than accounted for in current global atmospheric emissions estimates. Results from the FLEXPART model and PAH measurements show that emission inventories and biomass burning cannot fully explain the high PCB concentrations. Potential sources of the high PCB levels to the African regions are discussed, namely illegal dumping of PCB containing waste with release via volatilization and uncontrolled burning, and the storage and breakup of old ships.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2017
Studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its metabolites in PM10, soils, rat livers and cattle urine in Kumasi, Ghana, revealed high concentrations and cancer potency. In addition, WHO and IARC have reported an increase in cancer incidence and respiratory diseases in Ghana. Human urine were therefore collected from urban and control sites to: assess the health effects associated with PAHs exposure using malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); identify any association between OH-PAHs, MDA, 8-OHdG with age and sex; and determine the relationship between PAHs exposure and occurrence of respiratory diseases. From the results, urinary concentrations of the sum of OH-PAHs (∑OHPAHs) were significantly higher from urban sites compared to the control site. Geometric mean concentrations adjusted by specific gravity, GMSG, indicated 2-OHNaphthalene (2-OHNap) (6.01 ± 4.21 ng/mL) as the most abundant OH-PAH, and exposure could be through the use of naphthalen...
Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2012
Atmospheric concentrations of 32 polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) congeners were determined at four sites (i.e., Suburban, Urban 1, Urban 2, and Industrial) in Izmir, Turkey and their possible sources were investigated. Total PCN (Σ 32 PCN) concentrations ranged between 5.2 (Suburban 1) to 162 pg m -3 (Urban 1) in summer, while in winter, they ranged from 3.7 (Suburban) to 229 pg m -3 (Urban 1). PCN-24/14 was the dominant congener at all sites (contributing 12-27% to Σ 32 PCNs), followed by PCN-33/34/37, PCN-28/43, PCN-17/25, PCN-23 and PCN-19. Investigation of possible sources indicated that the combustion processes also contribute substantially to atmospheric PCN concentrations in addition to emissions from sources related to historical use of technical mixtures.
Malaysian journal of geosciences, 2023
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are known as persistent organic pollutants (POP) which exist in different media as contaminants in parts of the environment's atmosphere, seawater, sediments, soils, and vegetation. PAHs have been known for their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and toxic properties to humans through the food chain. This study is aimed to characterize and investigate the distribution of PAHs in wet precipitations, surface waters, and soils from Ikot Abasi, Ibeno, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. PAHs were determined in the environmental components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Two soil and two surface water samples were taken from selected locations and wet precipitation samples were harvested on event basis from the study areas .The results reveal the presence of the following priority PAHs at different concentrations: naphthalene, (0.02-0.09 mg/L);benzo[k]fluoranthrene (0.001-0.09 mg/L); benzo[e]pyrene (0.001-0.08 mg/L); benzo[a]pyrene (0.001-0.09 mg/L) ; 3-methylcholanthrene (1.27-7.21 mg/L) during the rainy and dry seasons in Ikot Abasi. The concentrations of naphthalene ranges (0.02-0.06 mg/L), 3-methylcholanthrene ranges (2.40-3.65 mg/L), while other PAHs levels were below detection limits in rainwater from Ibeno in both seasons. The concentrations of naphthalene ranges (0.02-0.05 mg/L); 3-methylcholanthrene (2.30-5.65 mg/L), while other PAHs levels were below detection limits in rainwater from Eastern Obolo in both seasons The PAHs levels indicated were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable limit of PAHs (0.0007 mg/L) in drinking water. The PAHs detected in the surface waters were in the order: Ikot Abasi (11.09 ±0.02 mg/L) > Eastern Obolo (3.87± 0.002 mg/L) > Ibeno (1.94 ± 0.004 mg/L), during the rainy season, while the PAHs detected in the surface waters were in the order: Ikot Abasi (13.79 ± 0.03 mg/L) > Eastern Obolo (3.95± 0.008 mg/L) > Ibeno (2.45±0.011 mg/L), during the dry season. The PAHs obtained for the soils in the three study areas during the rainy season were in the order: Eastern Obolo (776 ± 5.92 ug/kg) > Ibeno (732 ± 8.33 ug/kg) > Ikot Abasi (8 ± 0.07 ug/kg), while, during the dry season, the results were in the order: Ibeno (872±11.05 ug/kg) > Eastern Obolo (105±9.03 ug/kg) > Ikot Abasi (20 ± 1.95 ug/kg). Soils from Eastern Obolo and Ibeno have PAHs levels greater than 700 ug/kg, which is categorized as slightly polluted, with toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ) higher than permissible limit (33 ug/kg).This may cause ecological risk and raises public health concern that should attract more attention. Molecular diagnostic ratio analyses show that the sources of PAHs in the three study area are mainly pyrogenic.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2020
In the African continent, several studies have been conducted to determine PAH pollution levels with their associated health risks in the environment. However, these studies are very much disconnected. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review that serves as a comprehensive report on the PAH-related studies conducted in the African continent. Data sources are from Google Scholar and PubMed. English language studies that reported on PAH levels in smoked fish and meat, soils and dust, aquatic environments, indoor and outdoor air, and ready-to-eat food items were selected. Specific PAHs included the following: 33 PAHs comprising of the 16 USEPA PAHs, non-alkylated PAHs, non-alkylated PAHs, oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), and azaarenes (AZAs). Study appraisal and synthesis methods: The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was adapted to assess the quality of the selected studies basing on their sampling methods, analytical techniques, and results. A total of 121 studies were reviewed, with the majority (56) being from Nigeria. PAH levels in smoked fish and meat, soils and dust, aquatic environments, indoor and outdoor air, and ready-to-eat food items recorded total concentrations of PAHs ranging from 5 to 3585 μg/kg, BDL to 6,950,000 μg/kg, 0 to 10,469,000 μg/kg, 0 to 7.82 ± 0.85 μg/m 3 , and 2.5 to 7889 ± 730 μg/kg respectively. Carcinogenic risk assessment for children and adults ranged from very low to very high levels when compared to the ILCR range (10 −6 to 10 −4) defined by the USEPA. Out of 54 African countries, only 19 were represented. The majority of selected studies failed to apply any standard protocols for sample collection and analysis. The low to very high PAH levels reported in studies calls for effective actions on environmental health. Similar systematic reviews are expected to be performed in other continents for a global assessment of PAH pollution.
Meteorological Influence on Ambient PAH in Abetifi, Ghana
Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference of Recent Trends in Environmental Science and Engineering (RTESE'19), 2019
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants whose concentration in the environment are subject to various environmental factors. In this study, the effect of meteorology (wind speed, temperature and solar hours) on levels of ambient PAH from a mountainous environment, Abetifi in Ghana was evaluated. Samples were collected every 28days for a period of two-years by employing passive air sampling (PAS) method with polyurethane foam (PUF) as adsorbent. Mean concentrations of the PAH (Σ16PAHs) recorded in ambient air at Abetifi ranged from below limit of quantification to 8.434 ng/m 3 with the most abundant PAH identified to be naphthalene followed by phenantrene and fluoranthene. Positive relationship exists between PAH levels and some meteorological factors. Moderately significant seasonal variations exist. Influence on total Σ16 PAH concentration showed wind speed (36%), temperature (32%), humidity (27%) and solar hours (23%). The effect of rainfall pattern revealed an influence of precipitation scavenging. Solar hours showed 11% influence on photo-oxidation.
Environmental Pollution, 2018
Ghana is one of the top pesticide users and highest persistent organic pollutant (POP) emitters in sub-saharan Africa. Despite recent increases in published data, there is limited information on how POP concentrations have changed, post ratification of the Stockholm Convention. As a result, this review aims to address these knowledge gaps by collating available data that reported POPs in Ghanaian environmental matrices, identify spatial and temporal trends, and establish potential health risks. It is worth noting that Ghana has not developed its own