Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are Persistent toxic substances with a high potential to accumulate in soil as organic pollutant and bioaccumulate in human tissues. In the current study, conducted in 2019, 45 composites (0–20 cm) soil samples were collected from 9 sampling sites that are situated i...
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Elsevier
2020-07-01
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Series: | Scientific African |
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Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227620300673 |
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author | Sisay Abebe Debela Ishmail Sheriff Jian Wu Qianwen Hua Yuan Zhang Abera Kinfu Dibaba |
author_facet | Sisay Abebe Debela Ishmail Sheriff Jian Wu Qianwen Hua Yuan Zhang Abera Kinfu Dibaba |
author_sort | Sisay Abebe Debela |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are Persistent toxic substances with a high potential to accumulate in soil as organic pollutant and bioaccumulate in human tissues. In the current study, conducted in 2019, 45 composites (0–20 cm) soil samples were collected from 9 sampling sites that are situated in an area that is being used as a maintenance workshop and dump site of transformers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The extraction and cleanup of samples was done using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) with Pressurized Liquid extraction (PLE). The analysis was done using GC/MS to determine levels and distribution of PCBs, and a checklist was used to assess existing management practice of the site. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 and Origin pro 9.1. The result of the 18∑PCBs concentration is 17.16 mg kg−1. The range (in dry weight) of 18∑PCBs, Dioxin-Like (DL) 12∑PCBs, and Non Dioxin-Like (NDL) 6∑PCBs, is 1.027 to 4.862; 0.561 to 1.603; and 0.166 – 4.5 mg kg−1 respectively. The most dominant congeners are lower chlorinated PCBs. The distribution of total PCBs concentrations was found to be different in the entire sample tested but with a similar congener's pattern. Transformers and capacitors were observed to be improperly dumped in open fields, a condition that directly exposed them to the severity of rain and sunlight. The Soil surface around the transformer area had cracks, and literally burnt which is an indication of the degree of pollution of the soil. There is poor management in handling of oil and equipment containing PCBs. It was observed oil was leaking from transformers and barrel, and oil tankers to the open space which may cause leachate. It is important that projects are initiated to remediate the soil in the area to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all. It will be necessary to organize training programmes for workers at the sites on the safe handling and disposal of PCB related materials. |
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spelling | doaj.art-02eada475e4c4d55a566c4f875f36b842022-12-22T01:48:46ZengElsevierScientific African2468-22762020-07-018e00329Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSisay Abebe Debela0Ishmail Sheriff1Jian Wu2Qianwen Hua3Yuan Zhang4Abera Kinfu Dibaba5School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; Environmental Pollution and Management Research Directorate, Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institutes, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Corresponding author at: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; Institute of Environmental Management and Quality Control, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University, Njala Campus, Sierra LeoneSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of ChinaSchool of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; Corresponding author.Environmental Pollution and Management Research Directorate, Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institutes, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are Persistent toxic substances with a high potential to accumulate in soil as organic pollutant and bioaccumulate in human tissues. In the current study, conducted in 2019, 45 composites (0–20 cm) soil samples were collected from 9 sampling sites that are situated in an area that is being used as a maintenance workshop and dump site of transformers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The extraction and cleanup of samples was done using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) with Pressurized Liquid extraction (PLE). The analysis was done using GC/MS to determine levels and distribution of PCBs, and a checklist was used to assess existing management practice of the site. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 and Origin pro 9.1. The result of the 18∑PCBs concentration is 17.16 mg kg−1. The range (in dry weight) of 18∑PCBs, Dioxin-Like (DL) 12∑PCBs, and Non Dioxin-Like (NDL) 6∑PCBs, is 1.027 to 4.862; 0.561 to 1.603; and 0.166 – 4.5 mg kg−1 respectively. The most dominant congeners are lower chlorinated PCBs. The distribution of total PCBs concentrations was found to be different in the entire sample tested but with a similar congener's pattern. Transformers and capacitors were observed to be improperly dumped in open fields, a condition that directly exposed them to the severity of rain and sunlight. The Soil surface around the transformer area had cracks, and literally burnt which is an indication of the degree of pollution of the soil. There is poor management in handling of oil and equipment containing PCBs. It was observed oil was leaking from transformers and barrel, and oil tankers to the open space which may cause leachate. It is important that projects are initiated to remediate the soil in the area to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all. It will be necessary to organize training programmes for workers at the sites on the safe handling and disposal of PCB related materials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227620300673Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)SoilOccurrenceDistributionEthiopia |
spellingShingle | Sisay Abebe Debela Ishmail Sheriff Jian Wu Qianwen Hua Yuan Zhang Abera Kinfu Dibaba Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Scientific African Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Soil Occurrence Distribution Ethiopia |
title | Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
title_full | Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
title_fullStr | Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
title_full_unstemmed | Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
title_short | Occurrences, distribution of PCBs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
title_sort | occurrences distribution of pcbs in urban soil and management of old transformers dumpsite in addis ababa ethiopia |
topic | Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Soil Occurrence Distribution Ethiopia |
url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227620300673 |
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