Abstract
This research evaluates the impact of environmental pollution on the concentration level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the river water in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Water samples were collected from three locations (Onuebum, Otuoke, and Kolo). Sixteen PAHs were analysed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The concentrations obtained were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) and USEPA permissible limits. The results revealed the presence of all the sixteen PAHs in the river water samples. The mean concentrations of the identified PAHs were 0.183 ppm, 0.178 ppm, and 0.209 ppm, respectively. Acenaphthene (0.56 ppm) was the predominant compound in Onuebum, Fluorene (0.42 ppm) was highest in Kolo, while Anthracene (0.37 ppm) recorded the highest concentration in Otuoke. Several carcinogenic PAHs, including Benzo[a]pyrene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Benz[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Chrysene, and Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, exceeded the WHO/USEPA guideline values. This suggests that the contamination originated from both petrogenic sources, such as crude oil spills and petroleum products, and pyrogenic sources, including gas flaring, fuel combustion, and other anthropogenic activities. The study construed that the river water at the sampled communities in Ogbia are contaminated with PAHs at concentrations that may lead to environmental and human health risks. Therefore, regular environmental monitoring, strict enforcement of environmental regulations governing petroleum exploration and waste disposal, implementation of effective pollution control measures, and periodic assessment of water quality to protect aquatic ecosystems and safeguard human health should be implemented.
Keywords: Environmental Pollution, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, River Water
jaerem ONU, BENEFIT
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