article · Emerging contaminants
This study assessed the levels, distribution, sources, and ecological risks of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water and sediment from the Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir in Central Ethiopia. Samples were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Detectable OCPs and PCBs varied between water and sediment, and across dry and rainy seasons. Sources indicated historical commercial product inputs, alongside recent discharges of DDT and lindane. Ecological risk assessment revealed that lindane in the dry season and several OCPs (DDT, DDE, DDD, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin) in the rainy season exceeded quality guidelines in sediment, suggesting high ecological hazards. However, total PCB concentrations and other OCPs were generally below limits, indicating lower ecotoxicological risks.
Monitoring persistent organic pollutants in river systems is crucial because these chemicals can accumulate in the environment and food chains, posing long-term threats to aquatic ecosystems and potentially human health. Understanding their presence and sources helps inform environmental management and pollution control strategies.
The abstract describes an environmental monitoring and risk assessment study. It does not indicate any direct application pathway, specific users, or a readiness level for commercialisation. The findings contribute to environmental knowledge rather than a product or service.
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The current status of persistent organic pollutants in Ethiopian environment is not well monitored despite the existing pollution potential from a number of sources. Water and sediment samples collected from Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir, Central Ethiopia were analyzed to assess the concentrations, distribution, possible sources and potential ecological risk of eight organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Water and sediment samples were extracted by liquid-liquid and Soxhlet extraction respectively, and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The detectable OCPs and PCBs in water samples were DDT, DDE, DDD, lindane and dieldrin and PCB-28, PCB-101 and PCB-118, respectively in the rainy season. Analyzed sediment samples showed the presence of lindane in the dry and p, p’-DDT, p, p’-DDE, p, p’-DDD, α, β-endosulfan, heptachlor epoxide (B), and dieldrin in the rainy seasons. Among the indicator PCBs analyzed, sediment samples showed the presence of PCB-52, PCB-101 and PCB-118 in the dry and all indicator PCBs in the rainy seasons. Sources analysis showed that PCBs and detected OCPs were mainly from the historical input of commercial products, but there were recent discharge of DDT and lindane into the river system. Ecological risk assessment of the analyzed OCPs and PCBs using water and sediment quality guidelines indicated that lindane in the dry and p’-DDT, p, p’-DDE, p, p’-DDD, heptachlore epoxide and dieldrin in the rainy seasons in the sediment samples from Akaki river and Aba Samuel reservoir were above the limit at most of the sites. This suggests there is greater possibility of higher ecological hazards in these residues. However, the levels of total PCB concentrations and other OCPs at all sites were below the limit and thus their potential ecotoxicological risks were rather low.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.emcon.2020.11.004
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