Levels of Total Hydrocarbon in Aquatic Plant (Ceratophyllum demersum) of the Polluted River Oluwa, Western Nigeria
Total hydrocarbon content concentrations were determined in aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum) collected from River Oluwa at Agbabu, Western Nigeria, in the dry season and rainy season of two consecutive years. Samples were analyzed using the UV-vis spectrophotometer (HACH 2400). The average concentrations of total hydrocarbon content in aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum) in the stations in the in the four seasons ranged from 0.22 ppm and 28.39 ppm. These values are higher than the WHO permissible level of 0.001μg/g for seafood in inland waters. The average hydrocarbon content in aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum) collected during the dry season were significantly higher than the average concentration of total hydrocarbon content during the rainy season. The statistical analysis of the correlation coefficients of the values of THC at the sampling points are significant at 0.01, implying the hydrocarbons originated from biogenic sources due to the bitumen deposit in the environment and anthropogenic sources. High concentrations of total hydrocarbon content observed in aquatic plant (Ceratophyllum demersum) can be deleterious to consumers, therefore, aquatic food from River Oluwa at Agabu farm settlement should be taken with caution.
Keywords: aquatic plant, concentration, total hydrocarbon content, season, Ceratophyllum demersum, River Oluwa
