Ecological hazards of Total petroleum hydrocarbon in brackish water white Shrimp Nematopalaemon hastatus (AURIVILLUS 1898)

Abstract

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) are of environmental interest because they are toxic to the aquatic fauna and flora. Hence, this study was carried out to provide baseline information on the level of TPHs in the coastal waters and species of Nigeria using standard methods. The TPH level in the water (4.07 mg/l) was low when compared with the target limit of 10 mg/l for the Niger Delta water. The independent-samples Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test of TPH in water and Nematopalaemon hastatus revealed a significant relationship (p < 0.05). TPH level in the species (N. hastatus) was 2585.62 mg/kg indicating long-term bioaccumulation. The values obtained was higher than the target limit of 50 mg/kg but within the intervention limit. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) showed significant variation across the months, although below the standard limit (1000 mg/kg). The aliphatics hydrocarbon also posed a high ecological hazard to the biota species (Nematopalaemon hastatus) as the ecological hazard assessment (EHA) was far above one (1). Hence, to improve fish yield, as well as diversity, effective pollution control and adequate regulation of all activities contributing to the levels of petroleum hydrocarbon in the coastal region, are strongly recommended. Keywords: Nematopalaemon hastatus, Aliphatic hydrocarbons, Bioaccumulation, Pollution, Environment