Assessment of Aqueous Petroleum Hydrocarbon Polluted Surface Water of Abonnema Wharf River Port Harcourt Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract

Water pollution occurs when a body of water receives excessive amounts of materials called contaminants, such that the quality of the water becomes adversely affected. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very toxic and persistent environmental contaminants. This study was undertaken to assess the concentrations and possible sources of 16 PAHs classified by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as priority pollutants in surface water of the Abonnema Wharf River. The PAHs in the water samples were extracted with n-hexane using liquid–liquid extraction method, while their qualitative identifications and quantitative estimations were carried out with the use of a gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector. The results obtained indicate the prevalence of 7 of the 16 priority PAHs in the water samples with levels ranging between 0.53210-6.80015 ppm with an average of 2.67195 ppm. The concentration and distribution of PAHs in the surface water were studied and source analysis from diagnostic ratio confirmed the PAHs of Abonnema Wharf River are primarily from pyrogenic sources such as incomplete combustion of various fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), industrial activity, wood, tobacco, and other hydrocarbons. The study concluded that the surface water in the study area is contaminated with light PAHs which are mainly from pyrogenic sources. Hence, our findings have indicated evidence that Abonnema Wharf River is under pollution threat and underscores the need for early remediation if adverse health defects are to be prevented.