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conferenceseries
.com
Volume 9
Chemical Sciences Journal
Asia Chemistry 2018
September 12-13, 2018
11
th
Annual Congress on
September 12-13, 2018 Singapore
Chemistry
Source and toxicological assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in sediments from Imo
River, Southeastern Nigeria
Inyang Okon Oyo Ita
1
, Orok E Oyo Ita
1
, Hope A Neji
1
and Soumaya Elarbaoui
2
1
University of Calabar, Nigeria
2
University of Carthage, Tunisia
R
ivers are an important interface between the continents and oceans since they are involved in the delivery of a key flux of
toxic and persistent organic pollutants such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the ocean. Continued gas flaring
associated with petroleum related activity as well as bunkering/oil pipeline vandalization introduce large amounts of PAHs into
the Niger delta river network with attendant adverse health effect on the resident fauna and flora. As part of the river system,
understanding the sources of PAHs in sediments allows mitigation process to be carried out much easier. PAHs in sediments from
the Imo River were analyzed to characterize their sources and assess their toxicity potential with the view of mitigating them.
Localized contamination prevailed, reflected in a wide range of total PAH concentrations (TPAH) of 409.43-41,198.36 ng/g dry
weight (dw) with a large standard deviation of 4,796.67±1941.56. A more robust Principal Component Analysis (PCA) coupled
with n-alkanes distribution profiles approach differentiated stations that were heavily from those that were mildly impacted
by oil and discriminated among stations that were influenced by pyrogenic sources. Effect Range Low (ERL) and Effect Range
Median (ERM) as well as Risk Quotients (RQwcs) revealed that only naphthalene, flourene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and low
molecular weight PAHs were implicated as compounds of concern. The Maximum Toxicity Equivalency value measured for the
illegal petroleum refinery site, 179.81 ng/g TEQ
scarc
, indicated that this site requires some control measure and remedial action.
Currently, the mechanism and kinetic of a natural based biochar augmented biodegradation process with higher remediation
efficiency potential is being investigated by us for application in the Niger delta environment.
inyangoyoita@yahoo.comChem Sci J 2018, Volume 9
DOI: 10.4172/2150-3494-C5-030