Quantitative Evaluation of Phthalate Esters in Three Tributaries of Asa River, Ilorin, Nigeria (Published)
This paper focuses on the determination of both the presence and concentration of phthalate esters in three tributaries of Asa River in Kwara State, Nigeria.Water samples were collected at different points from each of the three tributaries (Unity, Osere and Yidi streams) and a total number of 18 samples were collected and the concentration of the prevailing phthalates was determined using GC-MS. Seven different phthalates were found present in the samples and they are: DMP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DEP, DBP, and DNHP. The concentration of DMP in the 18 samples ranged from 0.114 -0.525 μg/L, BBP (0.266-0.697 μg/L), DEHP (0.086- 0.198 μg/L), DNOP (0.062- 0.456 μg/L), DEP (0.162- 0.679 μg/L), DBP (0.168- 0.399 μg/L), and DNHP (0.010-0.064 μg/L). The total phthalate concentration in the three tributaries was lower than the USEPA limit of 3 μg/L for fishes and aquatic lives except for Unity stream where the total was 3.018 μg/L. This study was carried out during the rainy season and the result obtained here could be used as a reference for a further study during dry season to compare the impact of seasonal variation on the distribution and concentration of phthalate esters in the selected tributaries.
Citation: Lawal, R.I., Adewoye, S.O., Adenigba, V.O., Ajao, A.A. (2023) Quantitative Evaluation of Phthalate Esters in Three Tributaries of Asa River, Ilorin, Nigeria, International Journal of Environment and Pollution Research, Vol.11, No.1 pp.1-12
Keywords: Asa River, Extraction, GC-MS, Phthalate esters, stream, tributaries
Phthalate Ester Plasticizers in Orogodo River Delta State and Their Potential Health Effects (Published)
This study was carried out to analyse the presence of different phthalates such as dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalates (DEP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), buttylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) in Orogodo River. Samples were collected from eight points along the river channel, extracted using liquid-liquid method of extraction and was analysed using GC/MS. Levels of phthalates in water samples from the river ranged from 0.00µg/L to 2.22µg/L. The highest concentrations of phthalates were DBP and DEHP, which is consistent with their common use in plastic materials and other industrial chemicals. It was found that the individual phthalates concentration was low but total phthalate levels were high in most stations. Total phthalates for each of the location ranges from 1.34µg/L to 3.29µg/L at each station. Some of these were higher than the criterion of 3µg/L phthalates recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for the protection of fish and other aquatic organisms. The high concentrations may be as a result of dumping of untreated effluent/solid waste and emissions arising from burning of refuse containing plastic materials along the stretch of the river. The results for phthalates in the water samples give cause for environmental and health concern for people living downstream of the river. These results can be used as reference levels for future monitoring programs for pollution studies of the river.
Keywords: Acid Esters, GC-MS, Orogodo River, Phthalate, Surface water