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Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface microlayer and subsurface seawater of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface microlayer (SML) and subsurface water (SSW) of Lagos Lagoon were investigated using gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) technique to ascertain their occurrence and spatial distribution, origin, enrichment, and carcinogenicity. Total PAH (ΣPAH) concentrations ranged from 9.10 to 16.20 μg L−1 in the SML and 8.90 to 13.30 μg L−1 in the SSW. ΣPAH concentrations were relatively higher in the SML than the underlying SSW samples. The enrichment factors (EFs) of ΣPAHs ranged from 0.76 to 1.74 while the EFs of the individual PAHs varied from 0.50 to 2.09. In general, the EFs values calculated in this study were consistent or slightly less than the EFs reported for similar coastal seawater ecosystems. A correlation between the EFs of fluoranthene and pyrene indicated a positive significant value (R = 0.9828, p < 0.0001, n = 6). Source analyses using the phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratios indicated the dominance of petrogenic-derived PAHs. Furthermore, enhanced concentrations of BaP (strong carcinogenicity) in SML and SSW samples, which resulted in higher EFs, could pose serious ecological and human health risks.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Mr. John Paul Uyimedu of the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos for his technical and analytical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Chemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, P.M.B., 1023, Ota, Nigeria

    Nsikak U. Benson

  2. Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

    Joseph P. Essien

  3. Institute of Oceanography, Department of Physical Oceanography, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

    Francis E. Asuquo

  4. School of Environmental and Horticultural studies, Niagara College, NL Campus, 135 Taylor Road, Welland, Ontario, Canada

    Adeola L. Eritobor

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  1. Nsikak U. Benson
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  2. Joseph P. Essien
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  4. Adeola L. Eritobor
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Correspondence to Nsikak U. Benson.

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Benson, N.U., Essien, J.P., Asuquo, F.E. et al. Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface microlayer and subsurface seawater of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 186, 5519–5529 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3800-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3800-z

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