The transfer ratio of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil dumpsite to borehole water is dependent of polluting source and exposure matrices that causes immerse health risk to man and environment over a period of time. PAHs were assessed in selected soil dumpsite and borehole water located at Rivers state (Eleme, Eliozu, Eneka, Oyigbo, and Woji) and Bayelsa state (Yenagoa), Nigeria. Soil samples were collected at four different points 30 m (North, South, East and West) locations at a depth of 15 cm for each dumpsite using soil auger while control samples were collected 200 m away (farmland), where there were little anthropogenic activities and no presence of active dumpsites. Borehole water samples were collected from 300 m distance, which were packaged in an amber container, labeled, and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Standard analytical methods were employed. PAHs concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after extraction of water and soil using liquid-liquid and soxhlet extraction methods respectively and clean-up of the extracts, thereafter the laboratory data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. Total PAHs (ΣPAHS) concentrations in soil samples from the study sites ranged from 2.4294 mg/kg in Yenagoa to 5.1662 mg/kg in Eleme while in water samples the total PAHs ranged from 1.3935 mg/L in Woji to 3.009 mg/L in Eleme. The total PAH concentrations in the soil were above the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry levels of 1.0 mg/kg for a considerably contaminated site except for the control sites. The total concentration of carcinogenic PAHs ranged from 0.0038 to 1.1301mg/kg in soil samples and 0.0014 to 0.9429 mg/L in borehole water samples, therefore raising concern of human exposure via food chain. The results indicate that low molecular weight PAHs were more dominant than high molecular weight PAHs in both soil and water samples, however molecular diagnostic ratio shows that pyrogenic activities are major sources of PAHs as compared to petrogenic origin. Multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and Pearson correlation) showed strong negative correlation implying that they were from dissimilar sources and different migratory route. Cancer and non-cancer risk showed that children were more at risk compared to adults, where inhalation exposure were major contribution as compared to ingestion and dermal exposure, as such there is a need to implement regulatory laws on indiscriminate release of PAHs contaminants to maintain sustainability.
Industrial effluent discharged into surface water is an environmental concern, as it affects the esthetics, water quality as well as microbial and aquatic flora. Brewery effluents were analyzed for physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate, and sulfate, chloride) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to characterize heavy metals using standard analytical methods and compared with WHO standards. The result showed that pH (6.2–6.98), conductivity (137–273 μS/cm), chloride (31–53 mg/l), nitrate (7.53–10.72 mg/l), BOD, and DO were within the WHO limit. However, turbidity, sulfate, and phosphate were above the WHO limit. Heavy metal concentrations Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, As, and Cd were higher than the WHO limit and vice versa for Fe, Zn, and Co. Ecological risk assessment revealed that effluent samples pose low to moderate ecological risk, for As, Pb, and Ni. Therefore, there is a need for proper treatment and continual monitoring before discharge into the environment.
The levels of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in selected cereal crops (beans, cowpea, millet, maize, sorghum, and rice) purchased from major markets in Anambra, south-eastern Nigeria, were assessed and compared with established MRLs. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method was used for extraction and clean-up of pesticide residues. Thereafter detection and quantification were done using GC/MS. The result reveals that the analysed grain samples contained some organochlorine pesticides and organophosphates. The organochlorine was most dominant followed by the organophosphates. Organochlorine pesticide residues varied from 0.048 to 0.298 mg/kg in beans, BDL to 0.398 mg/kg in cowpea, 0.018–0.337 mg/kg in maize, 0.023–0.375 mg/kg in millet, 0.058–0.415 mg/kg in sorghum and 0.045–0.442 mg/kg in rice while organophosphate pesticide residue varied from BDL to 0.315 mg/kg in beans, BDL to 0.113 mg/kg in cowpea, BDL to 0.228 mg/kg in maize, BDL to 0.253 mg/kg in millet, BDL to 0.218 mg/kg in sorghum and BDL to 2.1 35 mg/kg in rice. Highest concentration of endosulphan II (0.442 mg/kg) was detected in rice, followed by aldrin (0.415 mg kg−1) in sorghum and endosulphan II (0.40 mg/kg) in sorghum. The pesticide toxicity index (PTI) was above one (1), whereas health index (HI) was less than one (1) and cancer risk were within USEPA reference guideline for crops indicating children will have greater health effect than adults. Hence, strict monitoring and control of pesticide residues in agricultural products is advocated.
The effects of processing on the chemical properties (proximate, mineral, vitamins, as well as anti-nutritional factors and oil characterization) of Mucuna flagellipes seeds and seed oil were assessed. Mucuna flagellipes seeds were purchased from a local market in Isiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria and divided into three equal portions, which were further processed by frying, boiled, and roasted. Samples were analyzed by official methods of analysis as results generated were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The proximate compositions showed a significant difference at (P < 0.05) in some nutrients evaluated. In terms of moisture content, all the fried samples were lower (5.00%) than the boiled (14.53%) and roasted (11.87%) samples. The protein content of the processed samples was low, and no significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed. The seed oil was extracted with (40–60°C) n-hexane and the oil was separated from the solvent using a rotary evaporator. The saponification value, peroxide value, and iodine value showed significant differences (P < 0.05). The fat content showed lower values of 5.13%, 3.87%, and 4.87% for fried, boiled, and roasted Mucuna flagellipes seed oil. The seed samples contained no less than 0.60 mg/100 g of oxalate, 0.70 mg/kg of phytate in addition to high alkaloid, terpenoid, cyanide, and flavonoid values. The predominant mineral was sodium in all the processed samples with the values ranging from (119.48mg/kg) to (102.20mg/kg) followed by magnesium 8.53mg/100ml, 7.12mg/100ml, and 7.03mg/100ml for fried, boiled, and roasted Mucuna flagellipes, while all the processed samples were significantly low in potassium (0.37 to 0.30mg/kg). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) observed in some of the vitamin content. These research results may offer a scientific basis for the use of the processed Mucuna flagellipes seeds as food for humans and its oil extracts for the manufacture of industrial products.
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