Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water and Fishes in Bodo/Bonny River Nigeria

Abstract

Several industrial activities around the Niger Delta region have contributed to the widespread contamination of marine ecosystems with organochlorine compounds (OCs), petroleum products that are a source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These pollutants tend to be persistent in the environment and are also often highly toxic to the biota. The study was therefore, aimed at determining the concentrations of organic pollutants (PAHS) in the Bodo/Bonny coastal waters and their effect on the marine ecosystems. This is exacerbated by the risks posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in oil spilled environments. Surface water, sediment and fish samples were collected from different sampling stations along the river and analyzed using standard analytical methods. Sampling of surface water was done on Link fish pond which served as control. The results of the value of TPH ranged from 0.31 to 40.85 mg/l, PAHs range from 2.06 to 2.73 mg/l and BTEX ranged from 0.043 to 0.081 mg/l. The Total Petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) values obtained were above DPR permissible Limit of 20 mg/l in all the stations. However, values of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons show that Benzo(a) anthracene had the highest concentration especially in all the surface water stations sampled. Also results showed a presence of carcinogenic PAHs in the fish tissues. This still poses a danger if accumulation was to take place over a long period of time. The values obtained from this study stations also exceeded the WHO quality criteria for drinking, aquatic life support and recreation. This reveals that Bodo/Bonny River is under pollution threat and underscore the need for early remediation if adverse health defects are to be prevented.