Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons contents in Water and Sediment Samples in selected Streams in Ikwuano Local Government, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Safe drinking water is fundamental to human health. The aim of this study was to assess the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) contents of water and sediments in selected streams in Ikwuano local government, Abia state. Experimental study design was used for this work. Water and sediment samples were collected from four different locations for PAH analysis. PAH analysis were conducted using various recommended routine laboratory techniques. Result shows that all the PAH concentration in stream water exhibited a significant difference (p<0.05) between the four sampling stations and three sampling points within each location in the study area. For PAHs, the highest mean concentration were Naphthalene 0.11 mg/L, Acenaphthylene 0.32 mg/L, Acenaphthene 0.42 mg/L, Fluoranthene 0.42 mg/L, Fluorine 0.42 mg/L, Phenanthrene 0.30 mg/L, Anthracene 0.21 mg/L, Pyrene 0.19 mg/L, Benzo (a) anthracene 0.22 mg/L, Chrysene 0.22 mg/L, Benzo (k) fluoranthene 0.22 mg/L, Benzo (a) pyrene 0.11 mg/L, Indeno (1_2_3) pyrene 0.40 mg/L, Benzo (a_h) anthracene 0.15 mg/L and Benzo (g_h_i) perylene 0.30 mg/L for water samples, while the highest mean concentration were Naphthalene 0.21 mg/Kg, Acenaphthylene 0.95 mg/Kg, Acenaphthene 0.76 mg/Kg, Fluoranthene 0.22 mg/Kg, Fluorine 0.38 mg/Kg, Phenanthrene 1.28 mg/Kg, Anthracene 0.94 mg/Kg, Pyrene 0.22 mg/Kg, Benzo (a) anthracene 0.37 mg/Kg, Chrysene 0.43 mg/Kg, Benzo (k) fluoranthene 0.32 mg/Kg, Benzo (a) pyrene 0.96 mg/Kg, Indeno (1_2_3) pyrene 0.25 mg/Kg, Benzo (a_h) anthracene 0.20 mg/Kg and Benzo (g_h_i) perylene 0.32 mg/Kg for sediment samples. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed a cumulative variation of 100% respectively in water and sediment samples of the variance in the data set. Cluster Analysis (CA) reveals that the prevailing conditions at MOUAU as at the time of sampling is similar to the prevailing conditions at Umuariaga.