Petroleum Hydrocarbons Contamination of Sediments and Accumulation in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula from the Qua Iboe Mangrove Ecosystem, Nigeria

Benson, N. U. and Essien, Joseph P. (2009) Petroleum Hydrocarbons Contamination of Sediments and Accumulation in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula from the Qua Iboe Mangrove Ecosystem, Nigeria. CURRENT SCIENCE, 96 (2). pp. 238-244.

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Abstract

The pollution of coastal ecosystems as a result of petroleum-related activities is increasing, and the literature on occurrence, levels and seasonal dynamics of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments and biota from the impacted areas of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, is practically scanty. This study was set out to provide information on the status of contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula and sediments from Qua Iboe Estuary, Nigeria. Analyses for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) were performed on Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula and sediment extracts using gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Seventy-two samples each of mangrove epipellic (intertidal) and benthic (subtidal) sediments, and T. fuscatus var. radula were analysed monthly between June 2003 and February 2004, covering peak periods of the wet and dry seasons. Results revealed that the TPHs level in sediments and T. fuscatus were highly variable. It ranged between 18.01 ± 0.04 and 210.23 ± 1.18 μg g–1 dry wt of epipellic sediment, 5.00 ± 0.82 and 232.00 ± 3.23 μg g–1 dry wt of benthic sediment and 9.40 ± 1.0 and 23.27 ± 1.0 μg g–1 dry wt of T. fuscatus. Summary continuous descriptives and correlation analyses revealed that TPH levels of the epipellic and benthic sediments showed a significant relation (r = 0.54, CI = 0.18–0.78), and correlated with levels in T. fuscatus. The overall levels of TPHs in the Qua Iboe Estuary when compared to similar ecosystems with substantial industrial and domestic coastal activities worldwide, revealed a moderate to high level of mineral hydrocarbon pollution

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Estuary, petroleum hydrocarbons, sediment, Tympanotonus fuscatus
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Chemistry
Depositing User:	Mrs Hannah Akinwumi
Date Deposited:	05 Feb 2016 10:21
Last Modified:	05 Feb 2016 10:21
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/5853

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