Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface microlayer and subsurface seawater of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

Benson, N. U. and Essien, Joseph P. and Asuquo, Francis E. and Eritobor, A. L. (2014) Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface microlayer and subsurface seawater of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. Springer, 186 (9). pp. 5519-5529.

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface microlayer (SML) and subsurface water (SSW) of Lagos Lagoon were investigated using gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) technique to ascertain their occurrence and spatial distribution, origin, enrichment, and carcinogenicity. Total PAH (ΣPAH) concentrations ranged from 9.10 to 16.20 μg L−1 in the SML and 8.90 to 13.30 μg L−1 in the SSW. ΣPAH concentrations were relatively higher in the SML than the underlying SSW samples. The enrichment factors (EFs) of ΣPAHs ranged from 0.76 to 1.74 while the EFs of the individual PAHs varied from 0.50 to 2.09. In general, the EFs values calculated in this study were consistent or slightly less than the EFs reported for similar coastal seawater ecosystems. A correlation between the EFs of fluoranthene and pyrene indicated a positive significant value (R = 0.9828, p < 0.0001, n = 6). Source analyses using the phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratios indicated the dominance of petrogenic-derived PAHs. Furthermore, enhanced concentrations of BaP (strong carcinogenicity) in SML and SSW samples, which resulted in higher EFs, could pose serious ecological and human health risks

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	PAHs Surface microlayer Subsurface water Enrichment Lagos Lagoon
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Chemistry
Depositing User:	Mrs Hannah Akinwumi
Date Deposited:	09 Feb 2016 10:18
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2016 10:18
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/5866

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