Abstract
This study assessed the concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in stream water obtained from Asunle stream, an adjoining stream of the Obafemi Awolowo University dumpsite. Water samples were collected for a period of eight months from six different locations comprising of a spot upstream in an uphill area relative to the refuse dumpsite and five others downstream along the stream course. The sampled waters were extracted with dicholoromethane using liquid-liquid extraction method and cleanup was carried out with silica gel. The final extracts after concentration were analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The recovery experiments were adequate (105%–110%). The mean levels of Ʃ6PBDEs compounds analyzed ranged from 0.03 to 0.45 ng/mL. Seasonal variability of PBDEs indicated that higher levels were found during the wet season. The levels of PBDEs recorded in this work were relatively lower compared to the values reported in the literature from other developed nations.
Highlights
A critical chemical analysis of some matrices can lead to an unambiguous clarification of their pollution status
The polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) congeners analyzed in this study indicated that all technical products used as standards were present in the water samples
Despite the extensive works that have been done globally on persistent organic pollutants, there is a dearth of information about brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the Nigerian environment
Summary
A critical chemical analysis of some matrices can lead to an unambiguous clarification of their pollution status. The surface water quality is strong within a given specific area and reflects the activities going on around the catchment of the surface water [4]. As streams move close to inhabited or dumpsite areas, water quality can undergo various forms and levels of deterioration capable of eroding the availability of water for humans and ecosystems and even decrease species diversity within a given ecosystem [6]. The particular aim of using PBDEs in these materials is to prevent or slow down their burning process in cases of fire outbreak with the intention of protecting lives in addition to minimizing destruction and losses due to fire incidence. The bromine content of PBDEs released at the burning temperature react with the Toxics 2017, 5, 13; doi:10.3390/toxics5020013 www.mdpi.com/journal/toxics
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