Total and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in Water, Sediment, Fin and Shellfishes from Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of eleven (11) polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total hydrocarbons (THC) were investigated in the water, sediment, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Macrobrachium macrobrachion from Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria using EPA and Gas Chromatography (GC) methods. All the samples(except water measured in mg/l) were measured in μg/g. PAHs were not significantly different(p>0.05)across the two stations and were within WHO recommended limit.The highest concentration of THC from Badagry Creek was recorded in M. macrobrachion (219.565±171.891 μg/g) and this value exceeded WHO recommended limit. Similarly, the highest THC (211.565±127.923 μg/g) recorded in M .macrobrachion at Ologe Lagoon was above WHO limit. The study has shown that the polyaromatic hydrocarbons were below the risk level, which indicated no risk status from the consumption of the fish species studied. However, C. nigrodigitatus and M. macrobrachion studied from these water bodies are highly contaminated with THC. Therefore, persistent monitoring and strict adherence to responsible waste discharge should be upheld by all industries near these waters in order to avoid deleterious effects on the biota as well as ensuring safety of the consumers.