Page 1 of 15

European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 3

Publication Date: June 25, 2022

DOI:10.14738/aivp.103.12176. Iyama, W. A., Edori, S. O., Okwuchukwu, C., & Emejuru, W. S. (2022). Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in

Water of an Abandoned Borrowed Pit with Wood-dust Deposit, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(3).

58-72.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in

Water of an Abandoned Borrowed Pit with Wood-dust Deposit,

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Iyama, William Azuka

Instistute of Geosciences and Environmental Management

Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Edori, Simeon Onisogen

Department of Chemistry, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education

Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Okwuchukwu, Chika

Department of Chemistry, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education

Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Emejuru, Woroma Stella

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Rivers State College of

Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

The incidence of borrow pit pollution is a common phenomenon all over the world

and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in the environment are on

the increase. Water samples from wood-dust effluent points at Egbelu, Port

Harcourt were collected and analyzed for PAHs concentration. The analysis was

achieved after extraction with Dichromethane and n-hexane in a Soxhlet extractor

while Gas Chromatography mass spectrometry was used to separate and identify

the components of PAHs in the water samples. The results obtained showed the

presence of 2-3, 4 and 5-member ring priority PAHs from the borrow pit, while

others were not detected from any of the locations examined. Different

classifications showed that the mean concentration value for 2-3, 4 and 5 member

rings were 0.132±0.00381, 0.235±0.00381, and 0.192±0.00436 mg/L respectively.

In all, eight priority PAHs were detected (Benzo (a) Pyrene, Benzo (k) Fluoranthene,

Indo (1,2,3, c-d) Pyrene, Dibenzo (a,h) Anthracene, Benzo(g,h,i) Naphthalene,

Flourene and Anthracene. The Mean concentration of samples also showed Aoto be

the highest in PAHsconcentration while Bo is the lowest. Thus indicating the impact

of wood dust on PAHs with only pyrogenic source of contamination. Authorities

involved with administration, management and enforcement of contaminants and

pollutants on dumping sites should channel their efforts to curb the incidence of

outburst of PAHs pollution in the future and fishes from the same source be studied

to show the levels of absorption.

Keywords: wood-dust, borrow-pit, water quality, PAHs, Egbelu, Port Harcourt

Page 2 of 15

59

Iyama, W. A., Edori, S. O., Okwuchukwu, C., & Emejuru, W. S. (2022). Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Water of an

Abandoned Borrowed Pit with Wood-dust Deposit, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(3). 58-72.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.103.12176

INTRODUCTION

According to Harvey [1] and the united states department of labor; safety and health, research

and studies has proved that human exposure to wood dust has long been associated with a

variety of adverse health effects including dermatitis allergic respiratory effects like asthma,

hypersensitivity, pneumonitis and chronic bronchitis etc. According to Singh et al. [2], sawdust

is the residue generated by saw teeth when wood is cut into lumber. It has the following as its

main chemical components carbon 60.8%, hydrogen 5.2%, oxygen 33.8%, and nitrogen 0.9%

[2]. It can be available in large amount at all places, environment friendly, and is very efficient

adsorbent for treating the dyes and inorganic contaminants from water [3,4,5].

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic chemical consisting of two or

more fused aromatic rings and do not contain heteroatom or carry substituents. PAHs belong

to the group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These are organic pollutant and

contaminants that are resistant to degradation, can remain in environment for a long period

and have the potential to cause adverse environmental effects [6]. PAHs present in water

intended for consumption generally come from coatings, tar, bitumen or water distribution

pipelines [7].

Wood dust, also known as wood shavings is now considered group 1 carcinogens in human

when they are breathed directly from the air or indirectly from water bodies, International

Agency for Research on Cancer [8] . This is because of its makeup of a conglomeration of

different substance derived from hardwood or soft wood trees [8]. Sawdust being carcinogenic

can also have a contributory effect on PAHs for water quality, as it can affect and exceed the

required quantity in water quality, thereby, making it unfit for humans within the ecosystem.

Lignin and fatty acids that protects trees from predators while they are alive can leach into

water and poison wildlife and humans when consumed. When a large volume of wood is being

processed, large concentration of these materials get into the runoff to cause toxicity and are

toxic to a broad range of organisms. According to Shukla et al. [9], sawdust or wood dust is

insoluble in water though colloidal suspensions may be formed from very tiny particles of the

sawdust hence altering the color of the water.

Impact of waterways and borrowed pits by organic discharges in Nigeria is perhaps a serious

threat posed to the Nigerian inland waters. Sources of pollution or contamination to water

bodies of Nigeria are well known, and the most notable point source arises from the dumping

of untreated or partially treated waste into rivers and water bodies [10, 11]. Similarly,

discharge of brewery effluents and bio-degradable wood waste from sawmill located along the

lagoon are sources of pollution [12, 13]. Wood shavings are sources of inert solids as well as

toxic pollutants that directly clog fish gill and indirectly reduce light penetration limits and

productivity [12,14]. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous priority organic

pollutants hence are seriously monitored by environmentalists [15, 16, 17,18]. According to

Kumar et al. [19], they are of multiple ring structures having molecular masses in the range of

128 to 278 grams. Most of the PAHs are genotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and/or teratogenic

in nature with long range of transport and well involved in endocrine system disruption at

levels higher than the maximum allowable limit within acute periods [20,21,22]. However, few

of the nontoxic PAH congeners are found useful as synergists [23, 24].

Page 3 of 15

60

European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 10, Issue 3, June-2022

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

The location of this experimental study has an underlying record of being a dumping ground

for a whole lot of engineering materials, wood dust remains and even electrical materials that

are no more useful. Human beings live within this location and make use of water and fishes

that inhabits this dumping site. The presence of all of these can pose health irregularities either

in the present or in the near future.

So, the above need has prompted this research work to ascertain the level of contribution of

wood dust (sawdust) has on PAHs for water quality of a borrowed pit. This is to determine the

extent of the contamination, so as to inform a better and give a proper use of the water from

the source and also the aquatic life [25]. The most impacted area on the study is the Egbelu

borrowed pit which has a lot of discharged sawdust waste as a result of wood work going on in

its surrounding sawmills. The use of this water bodies in domestic activities and consumption

of fish from the borrowed pit is a potential threat to water quality. The aim of the study is to

evaluate the impact of sawdust (wood shaving) on PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)

for borrowed pit water quality, hence objectively determine the concentration of PAHs in the

borrowed pit water body, determine the water quality of the borrowed pit and assess the

impact of sawdust on water quality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Field Studies and Sample Location

A borrow pit and a control station outside the borrow pit were chosen for this study with in the

Port Harcourt Metropolis. This is located at Egbelu in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

Samples were taken relative to the prevalence of sawdust and a distance not less than 150m

apart. These stations were labeled using the letter AO, Bo and Co was the control station taken

away from the dumpsite borrowed pit. The distance of each station was 150m apart.

Description of Study Locations

Port Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State and the hub of the Petroleum Industry in the Niger

Delta of Nigeria. It has an estimated population of about 1,356,000 people but Rivers state has

a total population of about 5,198,716 people [26]. This shows that Port Harcourt houses about

26% of the population of the state. It is worthy to note that this percentage has long time been

exceeded hence affecting quantities of industrial waste like sawdust generation and a

corresponding increase in borrow pit excavation [26]. The experimental location is a borrowed

pit at Egbelu in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. This location is experiencing

a heavy disposal of sawdust waste into a water body so formed with numerous kinds of fishes

which necessitated this study.