Investigation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) on Sediments in Selected Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Sites in Niger Delta

The concentration level of 15 PCB congeners and associated risk to the ecosystem were investigated in sediments around local crude oil refining sites in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (Agilent 8082A USEPA) method was applied for the identification and quantification of PCBs in sediments from four sites around the Niger Delta. The ∑15 PCB concentration level in sediments ranged from <1 (PCB 209) to (PCB 203) 185 ug/kg for SSL1(Ebean Lake) sediment sample, (PCB 201) 4.52 ug/kg to (PCB 183) 824 ug/kg for SSL2 (Forcados river) sediment sample, (PCB 203 and PCB 209) <1 ug/kg to (PCB 183) 120.1 ug/kg for SSL3 (Urashi River) sediment sample, and (PCB 209) <1 ug/kg to (PCB 153) 67.53 ug/kg for SSL4 (Choba River) sediment sample elevated concentration level of PCB were found in the forcados river of Bayelsa state. Mean levels of ∑15 PCBs in sediment samples from the four sampling stations ranged from 5.31 ug/kg (PCB201) to 158.6 ug/kg (PCB 209). PCB concentration level in each sampling location was higher than the interim sediment quality Guidelines (ISQG). The risk/danger PCBs pose to the environment was evaluated and calculated using the potential ecological risk index, and recommendations for mitigation and management strategies were provided.