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Occurrence, source delineation, and health hazard of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tissues of Sarotherodon melanotheron and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Okulu River, Nigeria

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mistakenly consumed by people through their diet, including food and water. The occurrence, source, and health hazards of 16 PAHs in 36 tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) and silver catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) samples from Okulu River, Nigeria were investigated in this study. The total PAH concentration ranged from 11.70–24.20 to 13.40–19.60 µg/kg, being statistically different between the two species. The values were higher than the European Commission limits of 12 µg/kg and within the World Health Organization limit of 20 µg/kg. The 16 PAHs were detected in both fish species. The diagnostic ratio revealed that petroleum, fossil fuel, and incomplete combustion of biomass wastes were the sources of PAHs in the fishes. Pearson’s correlation showed that the PAHs can come from diverse sources. The non-carcinogenic risk quotients (HQs) and hazard index (HI) in both fish species were 1, an indication of no adverse health effects. Among the 9 PAHs that were used to calculate the HI, BaP and BgP accounted for 31% and 62%, respectively, for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, and 25% and 69%, respectively, for Sarotherodon melanotheron. The carcinogenic hazard of the 7 PAHs assessed was within the acceptable range of 10−6–10−4. But the sum of the carcinogenic hazard was on the order of 10−3 in both species of fish, an indication of carcinogenic health effects. 79% and 75% of the total carcinogenic risk for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Sarotherodon melanotheron, respectively, are from DaA and InP. The consumption of PAHs by residents of the study area and other population groups through fish foods from the studied river underlines the importance of checking PAHs in aquatic foods for health concerns on a frequent basis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Environment, Research and Development department of Anal Concept Limited, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for her full-fledged collaboration in the course of this research.

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The study was financially supported by Anal Concept Limited.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, Research and Development, Anal Concept Limited, Elelenwo, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua

  2. Department of Microbiology, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Sylvester Chibueze Izah

  3. Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt,, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Ayotunde Aigboje Aigberua

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  1. Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua
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AOA conceived the idea and participated in the field data/sample collection, and laboratory analysis. SCI carried out the statistical analysis. AAA managed the literature search. All authors wrote the initial draft, read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sylvester Chibueze Izah.

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Aigberua, A.O., Izah, S.C. & Aigberua, A.A. Occurrence, source delineation, and health hazard of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tissues of Sarotherodon melanotheron and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Okulu River, Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 195, 364 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-10970-y

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