Geospartial Quantification of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) in the Wetlands of Koko and Environs (Oil Bearing Communities) For Cage Aquaculture Adoption for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria
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Abstract
The study investigated the concentration of PAHs in the wetlands of Koko, Agbegbrodo, Ajamogha, Arunologbo and Bresibi oil producing communities in Warri North LGA for their suitability for adoption of cage aquaculture for sustainable economic development in Nigeria. The study answered 5 research questions and tested a hypothesis. In accomplishing these, each wetland was mapped out into 5 research grids, and water samples were collected from 5 spots in each grid adopting grab hydrology sampling technique using 125mL plastic sampling bottle at 10cm depth. The samples collected in each grid were bulked and composites drawn, fixed with HNO4 and stored in ice cooled boxes. The analytical standard adopted was EU code 1881/2014 and the instrument for determination deployed was Agilent GC/MS Triple Quadrupole model 7000. The mean results obtained were; pyrene 1.23±0.11 μg/l, chrysene; 1.26±0.01 μg/l, BaP; 1.25±0.01 μg/l, BaA; 1.25±0.02, and BbF; 1.25±0.11 μg/l. The mean results were further subjected to test of significance using SPSS model 29 IBM at 0.05 level of significance and the p. value was 0.43 thus rejecting H0. The study concluded that the wetlands in Koko and environ are contaminated with PAHs above EU 1881/2014 MPC thus not suitable for cage aquaculture adoption. Thus the produce will neither be fit for human or animal consumption and will equally not be suitable for export. The study recommended that oil companies operating in Koko and environs should be compelled to adopt the world best practices in their operations, monitoring agencies; NESREA and NOSDRA should be more studious in their supervisions and the impacted wetlands should be remediated to return them to hitherto pristine statuses for improved ecosystem services for the adoption case aquaculture for sustainable economic development in Nigeria.