Center for Environment and Energy Research and Studies (CEERS)
Abstract
Perylene and penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in sediments
as part of a study that was dedicated to the aquatic ecosystem of
Elelenwo 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
Benzo [g, h, i] Perylene ranged from 209.00 – 245.28 μg/kg
dry weight at the various stations sampled. Meanwhile, Station 3
recorded the highest mean level of 245.28 μg/kg dry weight. The
observed values for total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were high (787.00
-1154.36μg/kg dry weight) in all the stations sampled. In
addition, the highest mean value of 1154.36μg/kg dry weight was
again recorded at station 3 for the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons. One
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 to
0.43. A critical appraisal of the PAH index, consequently, suggested
that petroleum combustion is the major penta-aromatic hydrocarbon
source in 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 > 10 % of total penta-aromatic
hydrocarbons established a credible diagenetic origin