Levels, Profiles, and Sources of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) in Sediments of the Aba River at Ogbor-Hill Region, South-Eastern, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The levels and sources of total petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments of the Aba River at Ogbor Hill Region, South-Eastern Nigeria, were assessed in this study. Five (5) composites samples taken at different stations viz: ST-A, ST-B, ST-C, ST-D, and ST-E were extracted with dichloromethane (DCM) using soxhlet extractor. This was followed by a silica gel clean up and n-hexane elution from a chromatographic column, to obtain the aliphatic fraction of hydrocarbons. Analyses of the aliphatic fractions were done with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The total concentrations of n-alkanes (ranging from C₈ – C₄₀) and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) gave the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) concentrations that ranged from 41.5378 – 183.798 mg/Kg, with an average value of 85.877±60.41 mg/Kg. The average value was slightly higher than the 50 mg/Kg target value established by the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) but was much lower than the intervention value (5,000 mg/Kg) set by the same body. Most of the stations also had their C₉ – C₁₈, and C₁₉ – C₃₆ fractions lower than the sediment benchmark values recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) for aliphatic fractions. Some source diagnostic ratios revealed that large portion of the hydrocarbons were from biogenic sources that were predominantly terrestrial. The carbon preference index (CPI) and the even to odd numbered alkanes ratio (E/O) however, gave much credence to contributions from anthropogenic petroleum inputs; enacting the mixed origin nature of the hydrocarbons source. Precautionary measures that will mitigate these anthropogenic inputs are necessary to sustain benthic lives and preserve human health.

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