Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment and Health Risk of Fish, Crab and Shrimp Around Atlas Cove, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic contaminants and pose health risks to humans and the ecosystem due to their persistence in the environment. Objectives. This study determined the concentrations of PAHs in sediment, two species of fish (Drepane africana and Pomadasys jubelini), crabs (Callinectes amnicola) and shrimps (Penaeus notialis) around the Atlas Cove jetty, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were extracted from fish, shrimp, and crabs that were purchased from local fishermen. Sediments were collected at five locations impacted by ship movement and cargo offloading around the Atlas Cove jetty during the period of June to August 2016, using standard methods. Potential toxicity of PAHs in the sediments on the surrounding aquatic organisms was assessed. The PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Human health risk assessment was calculated from biota using dietary daily intake and carcinogenic potencies of individual PAH concentrations. Results. A total of 17 PAH congeners were detected in sediment samples and ten were detected in biota samples. Concentrations of total PAHs obtained in sediment and fish samples ranged from 2.15 - 36.46 mg/kg and 11.89 - 71.06 mg/kg, respectively. The total PAHs concentration pattern follow the order of P. notialis > C. amnicola > P. jubelini (whole) > D. africana (whole) > D. africana (fillet) > P. jubelini (fillet) > sediment. Concentrations of total PAHs were higher in whole fish than in fillet samples (muscle) in both fish species. High values of PAHs were recorded in the dietary intake (0.10 - 2.33 mg/kg body weight/day) of the organisms. Toxic equivalent quotient values (0.01 to 0.10 mg/kg) were observed to be higher than the screening values (0.0014 to 0.0599 mg/kg). In the muscle of Drepane africana and Pomadasys jubelini, splitting and atrophy of the muscle bundles were observed. Conclusions. The concentrations of PAHs in analyzed sediment and organisms were higher than the maximum permissible limit of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Most of the detected PAHs were of petrogenic origin, which is an indication that anthropogenic activities were influencing PAH concentrations. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Pah Content of Clarais gariepinus Harvested from Ekulu River, Eastern Nigeria Contaminated with Effluents Generated from a Roofing Sheet Industry Risk Impact Assessment

“…The total number of PAHs identified in CLARAIS GARIEPINUS isolated from Ekulu River (from the downstream, upstream and POD) were higher when compared to the control. The concentration of the individual PAHs assayed for in fishes were also higher than the control Olaiyinka et al [16].…”

“…Using the Fl/Py methodology, it suggested that they were petrogenic for the upstream and pyrogenic for the PAHs that accumulated in Clarais Gariepinus at the POD. The results obtained by Olayinka et al [16] also suggested that the PAHs detected in fishes were of both petrogenic and pyrogenic. The petrogenic sources of PAHs observed in Clarais gariepinus obtained from the upstream can be as a result of runoffs from oil contaminated effluents from the industry while the pyrogenic sources at the POD can be assigned to the combustion that occurs in the roofing sheet industry nearby.…”

Exposure and Public Health Effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Compounds in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

“…19 The dietary intake of these food toxicants through food consumption is a topic of public health concern as a result of the continuous daily exposure to concentrations of these toxicants which exceed normal safe limits for human consumption. 19,20,68,82 This view was also shared regarding the increased consumption of a fried-tuna-related food in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. 76 A number of health risk assessments made in different parts of SSA have shown that these exposures have the capacity to bring about carcinogenic and mutagenic risks.…”

“…[16][17][18][19] Whenever they are released into the environment, they travel long distances due to their persistent nature, accumulate in, and harm plants, animals, and inadvertently humans. [20][21][22] Typically, the low-molecular-weight PAHs dissolve in water, and the high-molecular-weight PAHs are adsorbed onto living organisms or particles found in water. 23,24 Examples include benz(a)anthracene, naphthalene, pyrene, dibenz[a, h]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and so on.…”

Vertical profile of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the core sediment found in Langkawi, Kedah

“…Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) are harmful and carcinogenic compound present in the environment (Tsang et al, 2011;Christensen and Arora, 1998). It is also environmentally ubiquitous and cause adverse effects on the environment (Olayinka et al, 2019). Furthermore, it also serves as pervasive pollutants which have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties (Wilson and Joins, 1993;Menzie and Potokib, 1992).…”