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Distribution and Sources of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Recent Sediments of the Imo River, SE Nigeria

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Abstract

The distribution of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the lower course of the Imo River (Nigeria) was investigated to determine the sources and fate of these compounds. The aliphatic fraction is characterized by a widespread contribution of highly weathered/biodegraded hydrocarbon residues (reflected in the absence of prominent n-alkane peaks coupled with the presence of 17α(H),21β(H)-25-norhopane, an indicator of heavy hydrocarbon biodegradation) of Nigerian crude oils (confirmed by the occurrence of 18α(H)-oleanane, a compound characteristic of oils of deltaic origin). The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranging from 48 to 117 ng/g dry weight (dw; ∑13PAHs) indicate a moderate pollution, possibly lowered by the sandy lithology and low organic carbon (OC) content of the sediments. Concentrations slightly decrease towards the estuary of the river, probably due to the fact that these stations are affected by tidal flushing of pollutants adsorbed on sediment particles and carried away by occasional storm to the Atlantic Ocean. A number of PAH ratios, including parent/alkylated and isomeric compounds, indicates a predominance of petrogenic sources, with a low contribution of pyrolytic inputs, particularly of fossil fuel combustion. On the basis of OC/ON (>10) and Per/ΣPAHpenta- (>10) values, a diagenetic terrigenous OC was proposed as a source of perylene to the river.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are sincerely thankful to the European Association of Organic Geochemists (EAOG) for the financial support that made this research work possible. We also are grateful for the financial support and excellent scientific equipment provided by the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain and ADECYT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental/Petroleum Research Group, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

    Inyang O. Oyo-Ita, Orok E. Oyo-Ita & Miranda I. Dosunmu

  2. Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain

    Carmen Domínguez, Josep M. Bayona & Joan Albaigés

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  1. Inyang O. Oyo-Ita
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  2. Orok E. Oyo-Ita
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  3. Miranda I. Dosunmu
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  6. Joan Albaigés
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Correspondence to Orok E. Oyo-Ita.

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Oyo-Ita, I.O., Oyo-Ita, O.E., Dosunmu, M.I. et al. Distribution and Sources of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Recent Sediments of the Imo River, SE Nigeria. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 70, 372–382 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0237-5

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