Seasonal Variation in Petroleum Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Surface Water, Sediment, Crab (Callinectes sapidus), and Periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) from the New Calabar River, Nigeria
Keywords:
Contamination, Surface Water, (Blue Crab-Callinectes Sapidus), (Periwinkle-Tympanotonus Fuscatus), Hydrocarbon concentrationsAbstract
The New Calabar River is increasingly threatened by pollution resulting from treated and untreated effluents discharged from oil exploration activities and other anthropogenic sources. The research evaluated the effect of seasonal variation on hydrocarbon contamination in the New Calabar River using surface water, crab (Callinectes sapidus), and periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus as environmental indicators. Samples were collected during both dry and wet seasons from five sampling locations: Choba (SP-A), Mgbuodohia (SP-B), Ogbogoro (SP-C), Rumuolumeni (SP-D), and Rumuokparali (SP-E). Standard analytical procedures were employed to determine the concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH). Sample preparation involved solvent extraction and silica/alumia or Florisil column chromatography, while analyses were conducted using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). Sediment and biological samples were analyzed using HNO3 and H2SO4acid in the ratio of 3:1 prior to analysis. Detectable concentrations (Mg/L) of hydrocarbon (TPH) in surface water were in the following range: the dry season values were (0.08 - 0.79) and (0.05 - 0.72) in the wet season. The results (Mg/Kg) of hydrocarbon (TPH) in sediment ranged between (0.12 - 0.95) in the dry season and (0.05 - 0.09) in the wet season. The results of the concentrations (Mg/Kg) of hydrocarbon content (TPH) in the blue crab and periwinkle recorded dry season values (0.01 – 0.02) and (ND – 0.01) in the wet season. The result revealed seasonal variation in hydrocarbon concentrations across all environmental matrices, with generally higher concentrations observed during the dry season compared to the wet season. Surface water and sediment contained measurable concentrations of TPH, while blue crab and periwinkle accumulated detectable levels of hydrocarbon, indicating bioaccumulation within the aquatic ecosystem. Although the concentrations recorded were generally within Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON 2017) acceptable limits, the presence of hydrocarbons reflects continuous anthropogenic inputs into the river. The study concludes that seasonal changes significantly influences hydrocarbon distribution in New Calabar River and therefore, emphasizes the need for adequate and continuous environmental monitoring and stricter regulation of industrial effluent discharge to safeguard aquatic ecosystem and public health of New Calabar River should be implemented to mitigate increased anthropogenic heavy metal inputs into the river.
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