TITLE:
Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Trace Metals in Ejamah-Ebubu Oil Spill Site
AUTHORS:
Onyinyechi N. Akomah, Gideon O. Abu
KEYWORDS:
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons, Gas Chromatography, Spectrophotometer, Trace Metals
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.7,
July
31,
2015
ABSTRACT: The distribution of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at different georeferenced sampling points: Nwata A, Nwata B, Nwata 3’, Ochani and Eyeyaro in one of the most contaminated mangrove swamp in Nigeria, Ejamah-Ebubu oil spill site was studied. The physico-chemical analysis of the sediment samples and trace metals were also conducted. PAHs were analyzed using gas-chroma-tography flame ionization detection while metals with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The result showed that the total PAHs (summation of 16 US EPA priority PAHs) were present at all sampling points and the concentration ranged from 0.070 to 5.521 ppm with Nwatu A > Nwatu B > Ochani > Egeyaro > Nwatu 3’. The pH of the site is acidic. The concentration of trace metals for most sampling points is iron > chromium > lead > nickel > vanadium. Our result indicates that the concentration of PAHs is at level higher than the permitted level therefore; it is recommended that Ejamah-Ebubu oil spill site be remediated.