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Distribution and Sources of n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments Around Oil Production Facilities in the Escravos River Basin, Niger Delta, Nigeria

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Abstract

This study provides data on the characteristic levels, spatial patterns, sources, and risk of n-alkanes (AHs) [octane, n-C8, to tetracontane, n-C40] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surficial sediments from the Escravos River Basin (ERB), Nigeria. The n-alkane and PAH concentrations in sediments were quantified by chromatographic methods. The concentrations of AHs and PAHs in the ERB sediments varied from 95 to 3430 µg g−1 and from 0.75 to 213 µg g−1, respectively. Both the concentrations of AHs and PAHs in ERB sediments exceeded their respective guideline values. The carbon preference index and other AH markers provide evidence that the AHs in the ERB sediments originated from petroleum sources. Ecological risk assessment indicated that the ecological risk relating to an organism’s contact with PAHs in the ERB sediments was high. The possible carcinogenic risk arising from human exposure with PAHs in surface sediments through accidental oral ingestion and skin contact exceeded the safe level of 10–6, indicating a considerable probable cancer risk for fishermen and other inhabitants of the ERB. PAH isomer ratios and multivariate statistics suggested that the PAHs in sediments from the ERB originated from gas flaring inputs, discharges from oil drilling platforms, diesel engines, ships, and speed boats, and combustion of wood and other biomass.

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Acknowledgments

BSM wishes to thank the National Research Foundation of South Africa for research support.

Credit Taxonomy

Chukwujindu M.A. Iwegbue: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing-original draft, Supervision; Ernest Bebenimibo: Methodology, Resources, Investigation; Grace Obi: Resources, Investigation; Godswill O. Tesi: Methodology, Resources, Investigation; Chijioke Olisah: Resources, Visualization, Formal analysis; Francis E. Egobueze: Methodology, Resources, Investigation; Bice S. Martincigh: Writing-review & editing, Supervision.

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The authors did not receive any funding for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Delta State University, P.M.B. 1, Abraka, Nigeria

    Chukwujindu M. A. Iwegbue & Ernest Bebenimibo

  2. Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria

    Grace Obi

  3. Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Godswill O. Tesi

  4. Department of Botany and Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Chijioke Olisah

  5. Environment and Quality Control Department, Nigerian Agip Company, Rumueme, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Francis E. Egobueze

  6. School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa

    Bice S. Martincigh

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  1. Chukwujindu M. A. Iwegbue
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  2. Ernest Bebenimibo
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Iwegbue, C.M.A., Bebenimibo, E., Obi, G. et al. Distribution and Sources of n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments Around Oil Production Facilities in the Escravos River Basin, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 80, 474–489 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-021-00810-w

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