Total petroleum hydrocarbons in organs of commercially available fish; Trachurus trecae (cadenat, 1949) from Oliha Market, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in a commercially available fish Trachurus trecae from Oliha Market, Benin City Nigeria were assessed. Trachurus trecae is imported into Nigeria and consumed in Benin City.  A total of nine fishes were purchased over a period of three months. Samples were measured, prepared  and dissected to obtain the liver, gills, muscle and kidney. The samples were analyzed using a Gas  Chromatograph-Mass Spectrophotometer. The results obtained indicated that the mean total aliphatic hydrocarbons (mg/kg) ranged from 47.98±0.33–92.56±0.62, 121.97±0.81 – 225.74±1.05, 20.72±0.14 – 38.38±0.26, 43.88±0.29 – 81.27±0.54 for liver, gills, muscle and kidney respectively. The mean Σ poly aromatic hydrocarbon (mg/kg) ranged from 2.11±0.01 – 3.91±0.03, 5.15±0.03 – 9.54±0.06, 0.88±0.01 – 1.62±0.01 and 1.86±0.01 – 3.44±0.02 for liver, gills, muscle and kidney, respectively. Total petroleum hydrocarbon had mean concentrations of 73.31, 178.82, 30.40 and 64.37mg/kg in liver, gills, muscles and kidney. TPH concentrations showed a trend: gills > liver > kidney > muscle. The mean concentration in the fish muscle studied (mostly consumed by humans), though was low compared to other organs analyzed, but was greater than EU recommended benchmark of 2μg/kg; wet weight for fish. Periodical monitoring and assessment of TPH contamination and its bioaccumulation in marine organisms is recommended from public health view point.

Keywords: Trachurus trecae, Organs, GC-MS, Total Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon