Responses of Phytoplankton Community Structure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Constituents in Imo River, Oyigbo, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 01 | Page : 45 53
    By

    Peremobowei Beldin Kpikpi,

  • Onome Augustina Bubu-Davies,

  • Leelee Angela Esaenwi,

  1. Lecturer II, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  2. Professor, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  3. Lecturer II, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Phytoplankton perform a pivotal role in the food chain and serve as indicator species in environmental studies. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic group of divergent chemicals with two or more aromatic rings coalesce side by side representing serious persistent organic contaminants posing environmental risk to aquatic life and human. Imo River receive contaminants from illegal oil refinery. The study was conducted to assess the responses of phytoplankton community structure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) constituents in Imo River, Oyigbo, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Phytoplankton and water samples were collected from three (3) stations between January and March 2022 following standard methods. A total of 327 phytoplankton consisting of 5 taxa, 34 genera and 60 species were recorded in the study. Cyanophyceae (28 species), Chlorophyceae (14 species), Bacillariophyceae (15 species), Chrysophyceae (2 species), xanthophytes (1 species). PAHs constituent ranged between Acenaphthene (1.56±1.15 ppm) and Benzo (k) fluoranthene (0.54±0.10 ppm). Benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, Benzo (b) fluoranthene, Benzo (k) fluoranthene and benzo (a) pyrene were higher than USEPA (1996) standard for aquatic environments. PCA revealed Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were lover of Benzo (k) fluoranthene, Flourene, Flouranthene, Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene and Anthracene while Xanthophyceae and Chrysophyceae was weakly associated with pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and phosphate. Thus, high molecular weight PAHs are rampant in the study area, which suggests that the environment poses a mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic risk due to biotransformation in the food chain.

Keywords: Phytoplankton community, PAHs, illegal artisanal refinery, Imo River, Nigeria

[This article belongs to Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research ]

How to cite this article:
Peremobowei Beldin Kpikpi, Onome Augustina Bubu-Davies, Leelee Angela Esaenwi. Responses of Phytoplankton Community Structure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Constituents in Imo River, Oyigbo, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2025; 12(01):45-53.
How to cite this URL:
Peremobowei Beldin Kpikpi, Onome Augustina Bubu-Davies, Leelee Angela Esaenwi. Responses of Phytoplankton Community Structure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Constituents in Imo River, Oyigbo, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2025; 12(01):45-53. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowppr/article=2025/view=196073


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 12
Issue 01
Received 16/11/2024
Accepted 16/12/2024
Published 29/01/2025
243

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