Concentrations and Profiles of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Some Popular Fish Species in Nigeria

The concentrations and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 10 popular fish species in the Nigerian market were determined with a view to providing information on the health hazards associated with the consumption of these fish species. The concentrations of PAHs were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry after extraction by ultrasonication with acetone-dichloromethane and clean up. The concentration ranges of the Σ16 PAHs were 20 to 39.6 μg kg−1 for Parachanna obscura (African snake head), 6.8 to 532.3 μg kg−1 for Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), 7.4 to 91.1 μg kg−1 for Gymnarchus niloticus (Asa), 13.1 to 34.1 μg kg−1 for Sebastes fasciatus (red fish), 11.2 to 80.0 μg kg−1 for Gadus morhua (cod), 23.9 to 34.6 μg kg−1 for Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus (silver cat fish), 63.4 to 131.4 μg kg−1 for Sardinella aurita (sardine), 22 to 52.9 μg kg−1 for Trachurus trachurus (Atlantic horse mackerel), 21.0 to 63.7 μg kg−1 for Scomber scombrus (mackerel), and 27.7 to 44.5 μg kg−1 for Pseudotolithus senegalensis (croaker). Benzo[a]pyrene occurred in 23% of these fish samples at concentrations above the European Union permissible limit of 2.0 μg kg−1. The calculated margins of exposure based on the indicators for occurrence and effects of PAHs were greater than 10,000 indicating no potential risk for the consumers of the species evaluated in this study.

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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediment and Health Risk of Fish, Crab and Shrimp Around Atlas Cove, Nigeria

Journal of Health and Pollution ◽

10.5696/2156-9614-9.24.191204 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (24) ◽

Author(s):

Oluwafunmilayo O. Olayinka ◽

Adetomi Adeola Adewusi ◽

Olanrewaju Olusoji Olujimi ◽

Adeyinka Adedeji Aladesida

Keyword(s):

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Health Risk ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Human Health Risk ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Total Pahs ◽

Fish Samples ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic

Background. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic contaminants and pose health risks to humans and the ecosystem due to their persistence in the environment. Objectives. This study determined the concentrations of PAHs in sediment, two species of fish (Drepane africana and Pomadasys jubelini), crabs (Callinectes amnicola) and shrimps (Penaeus notialis) around the Atlas Cove jetty, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were extracted from fish, shrimp, and crabs that were purchased from local fishermen. Sediments were collected at five locations impacted by ship movement and cargo offloading around the Atlas Cove jetty during the period of June to August 2016, using standard methods. Potential toxicity of PAHs in the sediments on the surrounding aquatic organisms was assessed. The PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Human health risk assessment was calculated from biota using dietary daily intake and carcinogenic potencies of individual PAH concentrations. Results. A total of 17 PAH congeners were detected in sediment samples and ten were detected in biota samples. Concentrations of total PAHs obtained in sediment and fish samples ranged from 2.15 - 36.46 mg/kg and 11.89 - 71.06 mg/kg, respectively. The total PAHs concentration pattern follow the order of P. notialis > C. amnicola > P. jubelini (whole) > D. africana (whole) > D. africana (fillet) > P. jubelini (fillet) > sediment. Concentrations of total PAHs were higher in whole fish than in fillet samples (muscle) in both fish species. High values of PAHs were recorded in the dietary intake (0.10 - 2.33 mg/kg body weight/day) of the organisms. Toxic equivalent quotient values (0.01 to 0.10 mg/kg) were observed to be higher than the screening values (0.0014 to 0.0599 mg/kg). In the muscle of Drepane africana and Pomadasys jubelini, splitting and atrophy of the muscle bundles were observed. Conclusions. The concentrations of PAHs in analyzed sediment and organisms were higher than the maximum permissible limit of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Most of the detected PAHs were of petrogenic origin, which is an indication that anthropogenic activities were influencing PAH concentrations. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides in milk powder

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029916000169 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 261-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Simona Dobrinas ◽

Alina Soceanu ◽

Viorica Popescu ◽

Valentina Coatu

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Milk Powder ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

The European Union ◽

Infant Formulae ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic

This Research Communication reports analysis of 37 compounds comprising polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides (OCPS and OPPS) in milk powder (one brand each of commercial infant formulae, follow-on formulae and baby formulae purchased from a local supermarket in Romania). The selected analytes were investigated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography with thermionic sensitive detection (GC-TSD). The estimated limits of detection for most target analytes were in the μg/kg level (range 0·001–0·320 µg/kg). The purpose of the study was to determine the selected analytes, to assess the exposure of babies and infants and to produce data for comparison with tolerable limits according to the European Union Regulations. In most of the samples the organochlorine pesticides values were under the limit of detection. Exceptions were heptachlor epoxide and endosulfan sulphate, the last of which was found in all analysed samples at low concentrations. We also found detectable levels of ethoprophos, parathion-methyl, chlorpyrifos, prothiofos, guthion, disulfoton and fenchlorphos in most of the analysed samples. Benzo[a]pyrene, which is used as an indicator for the presence of PAHs, was not detected in selected samples. The low level of exposure to contaminants indicates that there are no health risks for the infants and babies that consume this brand of milk powder formulae.

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