Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in water, sediments and aquatic life of Nigerian inland and coastal waters

Abstract

formed during incomplete combustions of organic substances but few to be mention such as cigarettes, coal etc. They are usually found as a mixture containing two or more compounds such as soot. The emissions of PAHs in Nigeria have contributed significantly to the environment and live of aquatic organisms. Thus, this paper reviewed the contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) in the water, sediments and organisms in inland and coastal waters. Methodology: Literatures of relevant and previous studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water, sediment and organism within and outside Nigeria were reviewed. Results: The contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and can cause adverse effect on human health, wildlife and aquatic lives with no report on mammals in the aquatic environments. Conclusion and Recommendation: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) reviewed displayed different effects caused in the lives of human and aquatic organism based on the concentration level. Their sources were more of anthropogenic than natural source with varied concentrations at various source points due to different activities in question. The positive impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon on fish and other aquatic organisms as a result of bioconcentration, biotransformation and biomagnification become a threat to humans that rely on eighty percent of aquatic resources. Therefore, conceived efforts should be made to reduce these effects, general public monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon on discharge sources in the biosphere.