Perylene and penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in sediments
as part of a study that was dedicated to the aquatic ecosystem of
Oginigba Creek (southern Nigeria) in order to carry out a critical
corroboration of occurrence and diagenetic evolution of perylene in the
sediments of the creek. The results show that the annual mean levels of
perylene ranged from 396.27- 507.19 mg/g dry weight at the various
Stations. The observed values for total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons
werehigh (867.3 - 1243.14mg/g dryweight) in all the stations sampledOne
origin index or concentration ratio of Ip/Ip+BghiP was also used to
evaluate the suitability of the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons as a tracer
to distinguish between contaminations arising from different sources.
The values for the sampling stations therefore ranged from 0.41 to0.81.
Acritical appraisal of the PAH index, consequently, suggested that
petroleum combustion is the major penta-aromatic hydrocarbon source in
the sediments of the creek. The PAH group profile shows that perylene
was high in the sediments and would pose apparent effects in fauna. The
high concentration of perylene in the sediments was also indicative of
an in situ biogenic derivation. Furthermore, a concentration of
perylene ≥ 31.88% of total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons
established a credible diagenetic origin