Concentrations and Distribution of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Surface Water and Sediment within Tombia Creek, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

As a result of anthropogenic activities water bodies of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have been degenerated and tainted in quality and this study was therefore carried out to assess the concentration and distribution of total petroleum hydrocarbons in surface water and sediment within Tombia Creek, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Water and sediment samples were collected from the creek at three designated locations to evaluate the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). After necessary laboratory pretreatment, sample extraction for TPH was performed using solvent extraction by means of dichloromethane which was followed by column chromatography clean up. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was employed in the determination of the concentrations of TPH in surface water and sediments of the creek. The mean concentration of total TPH in water ranged from 35.695±3.876 to 100.250±19.194 mg/L, and in the sediments, it ranged from 143.577±18.001 to 302.416±29.364mg/Kg. Values recorded for TPH in surface water was above the DPR and WHO requirements for surface water, and that of the sediments were within the range of moderate pollution. The partition coefficient calculated for the water and sediment phases indicated that TPH fractions prefer the sediment phase when compared to the water phase. The results recorded showed that the creek was contaminated due to anthropogenic activities that take place along the coast of the creek and thus necessitate serious attention, regulation and suitable control measures of activities which has brought about this present condition of the creek.