Total petroleum hydrocarbon accumulation in gills and muscle tissue of Tilapia spp in Kolo Creek, Imiringi, Bayelsa State

Abstract

Petroleum spill into aquatic environment is a regular occurrence in the Niger Delta. Total petroleum hydrocarbon accumulation in Gills and muscle tissue of Tilapia spp from Kolo Creek has been analysed. The Tilapia fish samples were collected from the Kolo creek water, prepared and spectroscopically analysed at 420nm with spectronic 21D spectrophotometer. The measurement values were based on dry weight of the fish samples. The mean values of total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration recorded from tilapia gills analysis ranged between 6,140.387812.05 and 16,51718209.90mg/kg. The values recorded for muscle tissue analysis ranged between 3170.81 2076.31 and 5708.518351.49mg. Seasonal variation indicated higher values in dry season than wet season. For gills the values are as follows. Gills (wet: 5364.09  6401.91mg/kg, dry: 15747.60  11003.31mg/kg). Muscle tissue (wet: 2254.861580.13. Dry: 5781.514703.15mg/kg).  Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in gills was higher than that recorded in the muscle tissue. The obtained values of total petroleum hydrocarbon were relatively higher when compared with reported levels in similar ecosystems. The concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbon in the Tilapia fish samples from Kolo Creek analysed is significantly high and constitutes a health risk to people of the area. 

: Fish, gills, tissue, petroleum hydrocarbon and Kolo Creek.