Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access

Abstract

Gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling of polycyclic AROMATIC hydrocarbons (pahs) and their human health risk assessment in surface waters from a rural community in Anambra, South East-Nigeria

Okafor V N, Agu M O and Igbokwe E C

This research investigated the levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in different streams from Ifite Ogwari, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State. The streams are Isiachala (A), Iyiutu (B), Ube (C), Ahala (D) and Tabasi (E). The aim was to determine the levels of PAHs in the streams and conduct human risk assessment of the pollutants. The water samples were collected using precleaned 500 cm3 glass bottles and were analyzed for the presence of 16 USEPA PAHs using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Ecological risk model to determine contamination factor, degree of contamination and pollution load index was employed. Human health risk assessment (hazard index and total cancer risk) was conducted. The results showed the presence of naphthalene, chrysene, benzo [a] pyrene and benzo [ghi] pyrene in all the samples. Fluoranthene and dibenzo [a,h] anthracene were present in samples A and B only. Pyrene was detected only in sample B while there was presence of benzo [b] fluoranthene in samples A, B, D and E. Benzo [a] anthracene and benzo [k] fluoranthene were present in samples A, B and C. The cumulative PAHs values for samples A, B, C, D and E were 160.99ng/μl, 194.67 ng/μl, 105.60 ng/μl, 157.97 ng/μl and 68.74 ng/μl respectively. Correlation showed strong relationship with benzo[a] pyrene, next to chrysene, as pareto chart showed that chrysene was dominant across all samples with over 80% cumulative variance at p>0.05.

Published Date: 2021-12-22; Received Date: 2021-10-16