Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment of Kolo Creek in the Niger Delta

Sediment and water quality of Kolo Creek, a typical Creek in Bayelsa State in Niger Delta (Nigeria), was studied by determining the levels of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and in situ physico-chemical parameters of the water body (Dissolved Oxygen, DO; pH; Conductivities; Turbidity; Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The study was conducted in two periods of the year, Late Dry (March) and Rainy (June) Seasons. Total PAHs for Late Dry Season and Rainy seasons ranged from 00.35mg/Kg and 0.022–0.47mg/Kg with an average of 0.21 and 0.18 mg/Kg dry weight in sediment samples respectively. Student t-test does not show any significant difference in the total PAHs for the two seasons. TOC for Late Dry Season and Rainy Season ranged from 0.82–3.78% and 0.60–2.1% with an average of 2.20 and 1.35% respectively. TOC was poorly correlated with Total PAHs. The results show that 4 and 5-rings PAHs predominated in the sediment samples.