Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination in coastal mangrove ecosystems of the Zanzibar archipelago
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and crabs in the mangrove ecosystems of Zanzibar. Sediments and crabs from eight sampling sites were analysed for eleven selected PAHs. Samples were extracted with dichloromethane by ultrasonication, cleaned-up using column chromatography, and concentrated using a rotary evaporator. GC-MS was used in the analysis of the samples. In general, all eleven PAHs were detected in crab and sediment samples. Total concentrations of PAHs ranged from 1.70 to 28.66 ng/g fresh weight (fw) in crabs, and from 20.14 to 81.94 ng/g dry weight (dw) in the sediments. The levels of the PAHs are thought to be related mostly to petrogenic and pyrogenic sources from anthropogenic activities. The results from this study demonstrated the existence of PAHs contamination in mangrove ecosystems of Zanzibar, and it is recommended that a PAHs contamination monitoring programme be established.
Description
Keywords
PAHs; crabs; sediments; coastal areas; Tanzania
Citation
Mahugija, J.A.M., Ahmed, K.N. and Makame, Y.M.M., 2017. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contamination in coastal mangrove ecosystems of the Zanzibar archipelago, Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 16(1), 25–34.