POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) AND HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED DRIED SEA FOODS FROM PORTHARCOURT CITY NIGERIA

Authors

  • Jude C. Igwe Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, P.M.B 2000 Uturu, Abia State Nigeria
  • Kelechi E Onwuka Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, P.M.B 2000 Uturu, Abia State Nigeria
  • Chinyere G. Nneke Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, P.M.B 2000 Uturu, Abia State Nigeria
  • Chidi . Wogu Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Abia State Polytechnic P.M.B 7166 Aba, Abia state Nigeria.
  • Christopher U Aghalibe Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, P.M.B 2000 Uturu, Abia State Nigeria
  • Emeka . Ezeudu Department of Industrial Chemistry, Paul University Awka, Anambra State Nigeria
  • Emeka E. Joseph Department of Chemical Sciences, Hezekiah University, P.M.B. 2002 Umudi, Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) and heavy metals constitute environmental recalcitrant pollutants which are toxic and carcinogenic. The levels of PAHs and heavy metals (As, Hg, V, Zn, Pb, and Cr) in dried sea foods: prawn (Panaeus monodon), water snail (Bithynia tentaculata), periwinkle (Littorina littorea), conch (Lobatus gallus) and Oyester (Ostrea edulis) were determined. PAHs were determined using GC/FID and the heavy metals were determined using AAS. Total PAHs ranged from 0.170 mg/kg in conch to 0.493 mg/kg in water snail. The highest accumulation of heavy metals determined was Cr with concentration level of 320 ± 40.0mg/kg in periwinkle. Mercury was found in very low levels of < 0.001mg/kg. The values determined were found to be greater than the maximum permissible limit set by WHO. This implies that the consumption of these sea foods by the inhabitants portends danger and possible development of heavy metal and PAH related diseases.

 

Keywords: Environment, heavy metals, PAHs, Seafoods, toxicity.

References

Cite this Article:Igwe, Jude. C, Onwuka, Kelechi E, Nneke, Chinyere G. Wogu, Chidi, Aghalibe, Christopher U, Ezeudu, Emeka, Joseph, Emeka E. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Heavy Metals in Selected dried Sea Foods from Portharcourt City Nigeria.International Journal of Analytical and Applied Chemistry. 2020; 6(1): 24–34p.

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Published

2020-06-30

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Articles