Levels and Distribution of Polycyclicaromatichydrocarbons (Pahs) and Organochlorines (Ocs) in Marine Sediments
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THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF ZANZIBAR
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Master of Science in Chemistry
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Organochlorines (OCs) are amongst the pollutants of major concern in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. They are mostly characterized by carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. This study reports the levels of PAHs and OCs from sediments collected in July 2017, one week after tanks oil leak in the bay of Wesha Peninsula, Pemba island. Four sampling points were chosen alongside the mangroves and the totals of twenty samples were collected during the low tides. 50g of the individual sample was freeze-dried and 15g portion was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using dichloromethane and cleaned-up using column chromatography. Finally, 1ml extract was injected in GC-MS with electron capture detector for analysis. In general, eight PAHs and two OCs were detected with total concentrations range from ND to 53.42 ng/g dry weights (dw) and from 0.39 to 2.01 ng/g dry weight (dw) respectively. Moreover, findings show that, Phenanthrene, the lower molecular weight PAHs (3- rings) was dominant. The results demonstrated that, there is an existence of PAHs and traces level contamination of OCs. Furthermore, the study shed light on the possible consequences to the public health.
Loan Board
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Organochlorines (OCs) are amongst the pollutants of major concern in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. They are mostly characterized by carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. This study reports the levels of PAHs and OCs from sediments collected in July 2017, one week after tanks oil leak in the bay of Wesha Peninsula, Pemba island. Four sampling points were chosen alongside the mangroves and the totals of twenty samples were collected during the low tides. 50g of the individual sample was freeze-dried and 15g portion was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using dichloromethane and cleaned-up using column chromatography. Finally, 1ml extract was injected in GC-MS with electron capture detector for analysis. In general, eight PAHs and two OCs were detected with total concentrations range from ND to 53.42 ng/g dry weights (dw) and from 0.39 to 2.01 ng/g dry weight (dw) respectively. Moreover, findings show that, Phenanthrene, the lower molecular weight PAHs (3- rings) was dominant. The results demonstrated that, there is an existence of PAHs and traces level contamination of OCs. Furthermore, the study shed light on the possible consequences to the public health.
Loan Board
Keywords
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Organochlorines (OCs)