A complete `total oil analysis method` suitable for monitoring chemical composition changes and studying the fate of 12-year-old weathered oil residues from an arctic beach is described. The characterizations not only are through analyses of individual aliphatic, aromatic, and biomarker compounds but also are through `pattern recognition` plots involving more than 100 important oil components and component groupings. The weathered percentages of residual oil in Baffin Island oil spill samples are quantified using C{sub 29} and C{sub 30} {alpha}{beta}-hopane in the fresh` source oil as internal oil references. The values of the weathered percentages show excellent correlation to the total solvent-extractable materials (TSEM), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), aliphatic, aromatic, and biomarker compound analysis results. Biodegradation is demonstrated to have played an important role in the degradation and removal of the residual oil. Twelve years after the spill, the composition changes due to weathering progress much more slowly, and this slower rate of change will continue under these arctic conditions. 31 refs., 8 figs., 5 tabs.

Chemical characterization of crude oil residues from an Arctic beach by GC/MS and GC/FID

A review on analysis methods, source identification, and cancer risk evaluation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Renewable energy is crucial nowadays, and among the options, biofuels are evidenced as a promising alternative to reduce the dependence of fossil fuels. However, there is a paucity of works that discuss the real impact of the biofuels on the sustainable development. This paper explores the relation between biofuels and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), seeking to present the main challenges, perspectives, and current developments discussed about them. A systematic review was performed to explore, specifically, the positive and negative impacts of the biofuels production on SDGs. The results show that biofuels contribute to achieving mainly SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), but they also cause negative impacts in other SDGs that vary according to generations. Third-generation biofuels become promising alternatives to increasing sustainable development in this sector. However, they require more research development to reduce production costs and facilitate their commercialization. The gathering of limitations and perspectives highlights a range of opportunities to the research areas that can contribute even more to increasing sustainability in biofuels production and, therefore, in the achievement of the SDGs.

Biofuels and their connections with the sustainable development goals: a bibliometric and systematic review

In the African continent, several studies have been conducted to determine PAH pollution levels with their associated health risks in the environment. However, these studies are very much disconnected. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review that serves as a comprehensive report on the PAH-related studies conducted in the African continent. Data sources are from Google Scholar and PubMed. English language studies that reported on PAH levels in smoked fish and meat, soils and dust, aquatic environments, indoor and outdoor air, and ready-to-eat food items were selected. Specific PAHs included the following: 33 PAHs comprising of the 16 USEPA PAHs, non-alkylated PAHs, non-alkylated PAHs, oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), and azaarenes (AZAs). Study appraisal and synthesis methods: The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was adapted to assess the quality of the selected studies basing on their sampling methods, analytical techniques, and results. A total of 121 studies were reviewed, with the majority (56) being from Nigeria. PAH levels in smoked fish and meat, soils and dust, aquatic environments, indoor and outdoor air, and ready-to-eat food items recorded total concentrations of PAHs ranging from 5 to 3585 μg/kg, BDL to 6,950,000 μg/kg, 0 to 10,469,000 μg/kg, 0 to 7.82 ± 0.85 μg/m3, and 2.5 to 7889 ± 730 μg/kg respectively. Carcinogenic risk assessment for children and adults ranged from very low to very high levels when compared to the ILCR range (10−6 to 10−4) defined by the USEPA. Out of 54 African countries, only 19 were represented. The majority of selected studies failed to apply any standard protocols for sample collection and analysis. The low to very high PAH levels reported in studies calls for effective actions on environmental health. Similar systematic reviews are expected to be performed in other continents for a global assessment of PAH pollution.

The occurrence and levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in African environments-a systematic review.

Distribution and risk assessment of some heavy metals in surface water, sediment and grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) from contaminated creek in Woji, southern Nigeria.

This is the first study related to PAHs distribution in the Woji Creek (Nigeria), that points out potential contaminant sources. The study involved sampling of water and sediment from five stations along the creek monthly (from August to October in 2018). Samples collected were analysed for the concentration of sixteen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using an Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph (GC-MS). Eleven (11) PAHs were identified in the water samples with five (5) below detectable limits (Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene, Indeno (1, 2, 3, -cd) pyrene and Benzo (g, h, i) perylene). Results from the surface water showed that in the month of September, the concentration ranged from 6.029 ppm in S4 to 28.331 ppm in S5. October recorded a PAHs concentration ranging between 6.094 ppm at S1 and 29.257 ppm at S5. In the sediment highest concentration of PAHs was recorded in S5; 1809.08 ppm in August, 1810.05 ppm in September and 1821.5 ppm in October. The concentrations of PAHs in sediment were significantly greater than those in the water. In both sediment and water samples, the highest concentrations of total PAHs were recorded in station 5 and the lowest in station 4. The composition of PAH in water identified the dominance of 2 and 3 rings (Low Molecular Weight (LMW) PAHs) over 4, 5 and 6 rings (High Molecular Weight (HMW) PAHs). In the sediment samples analysed, LMW PAHs (2-3 rings) made up about 30% of the composition, while HMW PAHs (4-6 rings) made up about 70% of PAHs member groups. Cross plots showed that the PAHs could have come from petroleum and combustion.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/ab50f2/pdf

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Woji Creek, in the Niger Delta

Land use is one major factor that affects river water quality which is related to anthropogenic activities. Studies have shown that abandoned boats on watershed, petroleum and untreated wastewater from abattoirs can lead to anthropogenic pollution in surface waters. This study, therefore, was designed to assess spatial and temporal variation of selected heavy metals and level of pollution in Woji Creek. The study was carried out in the months of August, September and October 2018. Water samples were collected from five stations along the creek over a 3.2km stretch. Water was collected to be analysed for heavy metals (Nickel, Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Iron). Results were subjected to ANOVA and heavy metal pollution index (HPI) was calculated using aquatic toxicity reference values (TRV) as threshold values. Heavy metal dominance in Woji was in the order of Pb > Ni > Fe > Cd > Cu. Concentrations of metals analysed were high than the TRV. Temporal analysis of HPI calculated for the study was above the critical heavy metal pollution index (100) (August = 329.358, September = 361.796, October = 112.715). A correlation was observed between heavy metals analysed during the study. Spatial analysis of HPI showed higher pollution level at Station 3 with the highest anthropogenic activity along the creek. Cu showed a negative correlation to other metals analysed. Sources of pollution on this creek was identified to be both natural and majorly anthropogenic sources. This study, therefore, points out the need for proper environmental management as regards commercial activities around the waterways.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/ab4a8c/pdf

Spatial and temporal distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metal in Woji Creek

This study evaluated the level of heavy metal pollution in soils within the vicinity of hot mix asphalt (HMA) plants and the health risk consequences of human exposure to the heavy metals. Soil samples collected from two asphalt plants during dry and rainy seasons were analyzed for Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Zn with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Health risk indices were assessed as chronic daily intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) while the degree of pollution was assessed with geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF). The pollution assessment revealed that the soil samples were moderately to highly polluted with Cd. In both seasons, Zn and Mn, respectively, had the highest CDI values for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal route for both asphalt plants while Cd has the least CDI values for all the routes in both plants. The HQ and HI values for all the metals were less than 1.00E + 00 indicating no non-carcinogenic risk from exposure to any of the metals. Furthermore, the dermal route was found to be the least likely model for health risks associated with human exposure to soil heavy metals within the vicinity of the plants. The CR values for the metals were also within threshold value indicating non-significant cancer risk from exposure to the metals. Though no significant health risks were observed in the study, clean and efficient production of hot mix asphalt should be encouraged to minimize health risks and environmental pollution during production and usage.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soils and health risk consequences of human exposure within the vicinity of hot mix asphalt plants in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study investigates the distribution and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within the vicinity of a hot mix asphalt (HMA) plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Five samples were collected at both surface (0-15cm) and subsurface (15-30cm) depths at an increasing distance from the HMA plant and the control samples for both levels were collected at 500m away from the HMA plant. The concentration of the aliphatic hydrocarbons varied from 16.74 to 2025.20mg/kg and 25.69 to 818.82mg/kg for surface and subsurface levels respectively while the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 117.67 to 2226.44mg/kg and 414.40 to 1588.89mg/kg for surface and subsurface samples respectively. The diagnostic isomer ratios showed that the petroleum hydrocarbons were mainly of pyrogenic origin.

Distribution and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within the vicinity of a hot mix asphalt (HMA) plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The light hydrocarbon content of Niger Delta crude oils were studied with a view to providing a means of evaluating the Niger Delta petroleum system independent of higher molecular weight markers. Ultra high resolution gas chromatography was used in separation and analysis of the light hydrocarbons. Heptane ratio of oils ND-A3 (12.30), ND-A6 (12.07) and ND-B7 (10.33) were close and separate from ND-E5 (4.64). I nvariance ratios and plot discriminated the oils into two groups. These apparent groups remained distinctly different in their graphical representation of ring preference. Star plots of oils ND-A3, ND-A6 and ND-B7 were shown to follow similar pattern, suggesting a strong similarity between them reflecting oil generation from same source rock, but followed different pattern from oil ND-E5 suggesting a negative correlation. These results strongly are consistent with two homologous sources for oils thus complementing the interpretations of higher molecular weight biomarkers and provide a quick and cost effective tool for correlation studies in Niger Delta, Nigeria. [Journal of American Science 2010;6(6):82-88]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).

/pdf/light-hydrocarbon-correlation-of-niger-delta-crude-oils-51u67ezgky.pdf

Mark O. Onyema

Papers

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Woji Creek, in the Niger Delta

Spatial and temporal distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metal in Woji Creek

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soils and health risk consequences of human exposure within the vicinity of hot mix asphalt plants in Rivers State, Nigeria

Distribution and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within the vicinity of a hot mix asphalt (HMA) plant in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Light Hydrocarbon Correlation of Niger Delta Crude Oils