Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water of Elelenwo River, Rivers State, Niger Delta Nigeria

The incidence of river pollution is a common place all over the world. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) presence in the environment is on the increase. Water samples collected from Elelenwo River were analyzed for PAHs concentrations. The analysis was achieved after extraction with dichloromethane and n-hexane in a soxhlet extractor. Thereafter, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to separate and identify the different components of PAHs in the surface water samples. The result obtained showed the presence of 13 priority PAHs from the river. Three priority PAHs (fluorene, benzo (a) anthracene and chrysene) were not detected from any of the stations examined. Different classifications showed that the mean value for 2-3, 4, 5 and 6 ring members were 0.067±0.038, 0.013±0.005, 0.08±0.00 and 0.067±0.009 mg/L respectively. Thus indicating that the occurrence and abundance of the ring sizes were in the order of 5 > 6 + 2-3 > 4. Diagnostic ratio for origin identification in the river showed only pyrogenic source of contamination, thus implication human influence on the origin of the PAHs in the river water. Authorities involved with administration, management and enforcement of contaminant / pollutant discharge should channel their efforts to curb the incidence of outburst of PAHs pollution.