Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Quantitative analysis of toxic halogenated contaminants in Oluyoro stream of Nigeria

  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analysis of organic contaminants is reported for the Oluyoro stream located in the South-Western Nigeria. Using gas chromatography methods with flame ionization, electron capture and mass spectrometer detectors, alarming levels of organic pollutants including alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and alkyl halides were detected. Remarkably, toxic halogenated organic substances such as 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4,4′-DDT), 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (4,4′-DDD), beta-benzenehexachloride (beta-BHC), heptachlor epoxide, endrin aldehyde and endrin ketone are found to be at 15,820, 6,176, 1,155, 336, 24 and 13 times, respectively, more than the permitted levels of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). Furthermore, 4,4′-DDD, a probable human carcinogen, and methoxychlor are detected for the first time when compared to the last report published in 1992. Activities such as high influx of domestic and industrial wastes to the stream have drastically increased the concentrations of these halogenated contaminants. Results presented in this article provide important information for potential future effects of these contaminants on human health and the integrated environment in the region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adekalu, K. O., Osunbitan, J. A., & Ojo, O. E. (2002). Water sources and demand in South Western Nigeria: Implications for water development planners and scientists. Technovation, 22, 799–805.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballschmiter, K. (2003). Pattern and sources of naturally produced organohalogens in the marine environment: Biogenic formation of organohalogens. Chemosphere, 52, 313–324.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fakayode, S. O. (2005). Impact assessment of industrial effluent on water quality of the receiving Alaro River in Ibadan, Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Association management, 10, 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibs, J., Najar, B., & Suffet, I. H. (1984). Broad-spectrum analysis of organics in drinking water using macro-reticular resins-a quality assurance evaluation in water chlorination. In R. L. Jolley et al. (Eds.), 5th Chemistry, Environmental Impact and Health Effects Conference (pp. 1099–1114).

  • Golfinopoulos, S. K., Lekkas, T. D., & Nikolaou, A. D. (2001). Comparison of methods for determination of volatile organic compounds in water. Chemosphere, 45(3), 275–284.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. L., Yang, F. J., & Bartle, K. D. (1984). Open tubular column gas chromatography: Theory and practice (pp. 225–226). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabey, W. R., Smith, J. H., & Podoll, R. T., et al. (1981). Aquatic fate process data for organic priority pollutants. EPA-440/4-81-014.

  • Middleton, N. (1997). The global casino: An introduction to environmental issues (3rd ed., p. 332). London: Edward Arnold.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nigerian National Bureau for Statistics. (2008). 2006 National population commission of Nigeria’s census. www.population.gov.ng.

  • Nwankwoala, A. U., & Osibanjo, O. (1992). Baseline levels of selected organochlorine pesticide residues in surface waters in Ibadan (Nigeria) by electron capture gas chromatography. The Science of the Total Environment, 119, 179–190.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oyegun, R. O. (1983). Water resources in Kwara State (p. 113). Ilorin, Nigeria: M & S Publishing Coy Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rezaee, M., Assadi, Y., Milani Hosseini, M. R., Aghaee, E., Ahmadi, F., & Berijani, S. (2006). Determination of organic compounds in water using dispersive liquid–liquid Microextraction. Journal of Chromatography A, 1116(1–2), 1–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zapf, A., Heyer, R., & Stan, H. J. (1995). Rapid micro liquid–liquid extraction method for trace analysis of organic contaminants in drinking water. Journal of Chromatography A, 694(2), 453–461.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank H. L. Adebowale and E. O. Oyedokun of University of Ibadan, Nigeria, for their sample collection and preparation, and ANA-LAB, Kilgore, TX, for GC–MS analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, 77004, USA

    Adedotun Adebowale & Tuan Phan

Authors
  1. Adedotun Adebowale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tuan Phan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tuan Phan.

Additional information

Readers should send their comments on this paper to BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adebowale, A., Phan, T. Quantitative analysis of toxic halogenated contaminants in Oluyoro stream of Nigeria. Environ Dev Sustain 12, 357–364 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-009-9200-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-009-9200-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation