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Profiling of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in soils around a section of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria


G.O. Eromosele
G.N. Iwuoha

Abstract

This research was conducted to ascertain the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in aroclor form present in soils around old transformer area sites of Rumuagholu, Port Harcourt Nigeria. This was in order to know if the soil were relatively polychlorinated biphenyl toxic and in need of remediation. In order to conduct the study, samples were collected from transformer sites of Rumuagholu. Samples were collected and analyzed for estimation of PCBs in aroclor concentrations using Gas-Chromatography-Electron capture detector. The total PCBs aroclor concentrations in the sites (A and B) were found to be 4×10-6 ppm and 1×10-6 ppm respectively which were well below the regulatory standards of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy which have their PCBs regulatory standards set at 0.2ppm, 1ppm and 0.3ppm respectively for residential and agricultural uses. The research therefore shows that the soil samples are restively nontoxic with respect to PCBs and are not in need of remediation as stipulated under the United States Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The research also shows little traces of some pesticides and that the transformers in this area have contributed little or no PCBs toxicity to the environment.

Keywords: PCBs, Toxicity, Soil, Transformer, Profile


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eISSN: 1118-1931
print ISSN: 1118-1931