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Occurrence and distribution of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX) and the impact on macrobenthic community structure in Lagos lagoon, Nigeria

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Abstract

The widespread distribution of petroleum products arising from the rapid growth of the petroleum industry in Nigeria has resulted in the pollution of the environment through oil spills involving leakages from tankers, pipelines, tank farms, and dumping of waste petroleum products. The impacts and distribution of major toxic components (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)) of petroleum products in water and sediment samples collected from sampling stations in the Lagos lagoon was investigated over a 2-year period (February 2009–July 2010). The distribution of benthic communities in the different sampling stations of the Lagos lagoon was assessed. The determination of hydrocarbon levels in the samples showed that the levels of total hydrocarbon content (THC) in the water samples around the Atlas Cove and Apapa were high with values ranging from 2.03 to 31.38 mg/l and 4.04 to 22.89 mg/l, respectively. The highest value of total BTEX in the lagoon sediment was also recorded in the Apapa station (450.53 μg/kg), where oil depots and tank farm facilities are located. The study of the macrobenthic community structure showed that the species richness ranged from 1.57 to 2.02 in the reference station, Unilag, while in the Atlas Cove, Iddo, and Apapa stations, it ranged from 1.80 to 2.89, 1.95 to 3.03, and 1.86 to 2.95, respectively. The highest number of organisms (183) was recorded in the reference stations, while the least number (46) was recorded in Apapa. The main hydrocarbon pollution indicator species identified in the impacted aquatic stations were Nais eliguis and Heteromastus filiformis. The levels of hydrocarbon observed in the aquatic environment showed that there is widespread contamination as a result of petroleum product importation, storage, and distribution. The assessment of the monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and benthic community will therefore provide important tools for early detection, diagnosis, and management of hydrocarbon pollution in the Lagos lagoon.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the World Bank University of Lagos STEP B project for providing part of the fund used for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Biology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria

    V. F. Doherty

  2. Ecotoxicology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria

    A. A. Otitoloju

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  1. V. F. Doherty
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  2. A. A. Otitoloju
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Correspondence to V. F. Doherty.

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Doherty, V.F., Otitoloju, A.A. Occurrence and distribution of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX) and the impact on macrobenthic community structure in Lagos lagoon, Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 188, 571 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5576-9

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