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Distributions and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Cross River estuary, S.E. Niger Delta, Nigeria

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analyses of surface sediments from the Cross River estuary by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry indicated natural diagenetically derived PAHs in the upper estuary, with minor and variable amounts of petrogenic and combustion-derived PAHs from human activities (lower estuary). The occurrence of significant amounts of perylene (average 23% of all PAHs) with the diagenetic natural PAHs in the middle estuary bordered by mangrove forests supports its origin from terrestrial organic matter. The natural PAHs represent the highest percentage (average 76%) of the total PAHs in this tropical environment. The traditional geochemical parameters, including the petrogenic PAHs, confirmed trace petroleum contamination in the estuary. Specific PAH ratios such as Fl/Py and Fl/(Fl+Py) also support this source contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 3766, Calabar, C.R. State, Nigeria

    Bassey Offiong Ekpo & Orok E. Oyo-Ita

  2. Consultant, 72 Marina Lake Drive, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA

    Daniel R. Oros

  3. COGER, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Bernd R. T. Simoneit

  4. Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Bernd R. T. Simoneit

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  1. Bassey Offiong Ekpo
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  2. Orok E. Oyo-Ita
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  3. Daniel R. Oros
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  4. Bernd R. T. Simoneit
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Correspondence to Bassey Offiong Ekpo.

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Ekpo, B.O., Oyo-Ita, O.E., Oros, D.R. et al. Distributions and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Cross River estuary, S.E. Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 184, 1037–1047 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2019-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2019-5

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