Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of perylene in sediments: Occurrence and diagenetic evolution

  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Perylene and penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in sediments as part of a study that was dedicated to the aquatic ecosystem of Elelenwo Creek (Southern Nigeria) in order to carry out a critical corroboration of occurrence and diagenetic evolution of perylene in the sediments of the creek. The results show that the annual mean levels of Benzo [g, h, i] Perylene ranged from 209.00–245.28 ⧎g/kg dry weight at the various stations sampled. Meanwhile, Station 3 recorded the highest mean level of 245.28 ⧎g/kg dry weight. The observed values for total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons were high (787.00–1154.36⧎g/kg dry weight) in all the stations sampled. In addition, the highest mean value of 1154.36⧎g/kg dry weight was again recorded at station 3 for the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons. One origin index or concentration ratio of Ip/Ip+BghiP was also used to evaluate the suitability of the penta-aromatic hydrocarbons as a tracer to distinguish between contaminations arising from different sources. The values for the sampling stations therefore ranged from 0.41 to 0.43. A critical appraisal of the PAH index, consequently, suggested that petroleum combustion is the major penta-aromatic hydrocarbon source in sediments of the creek. The PAH group profile shows that perylene was high in the sediments and would pose apparent effects in fauna. The high concentration of perylene in the sediments was also indicative of an in situ biogenic derivation. Furthermore, a concentration of perylene > 10 % of total penta-aromatic hydrocarbons established a credible diagenetic origin.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baumard, P.; Budszinski, H.; Mchin, Q.; Garrigues, P.; Burgeot, T.; Bellocq, J., (1998). Origin and bioavailability of PAHs in the Mediterranean Sea from mussel and sediment records. Estuar., Coast. Shelf Sci., 47, 77–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cerniglia, C.E., (1992). Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Biodegradation, 3, 351–368.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Countway, R.E.; Dickhut, R.M.; Canuel, E.A., (2003). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) distributions and associations with organic matter in surface waters of the York River, VA Estuary. Org. Geochem., 3, 351–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • EPA, (1987). Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Benzo (ghi) perylene. Prepared by the Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Office of Health and Environmental Assessment for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH. ECAO-CIN-P276. Assessment for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH. ECAO-CIN-P276.

  • EPA, (1991). Drinking Water Criteria Document for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Prepared by the Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, Office of Health a nd Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, for the Office of Drinking Water. ECAO-CIN-D010.

  • Freitag, D.L.; Ballhorn, H.; Geyer, Korte, F., (1985). Environmental hazard profile of organic chemicals. Chemosphere, 14, 1589–1616.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, R.G., (1996). Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Wiley, New York, 8–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Hites, R.A., Laflame, R.E., Farrington, J.W., (1997). Sedimentary polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons-historical record. Science, 198, 829–831.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, C.Q.; Robert, A.; Robert, I.K.; Andrew, P.M., (2000). Origin of perylene in ancient sediments and its geological significance. Org. Geochem., 31, 1545–1559.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LaFlamme, R.E.; Hites., R.A., (1978). The global distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Recent sediments. Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 42, 289–303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meglen, R.R., (1992). Examining large databases: a chemometric approach using principal component analysis. Mar. Chem., 39, 217–237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McVeety, B.D.; Hites, R.A., (1988). Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on water surfaces: A mass balance approach. Atmos. Environ., 22: 511–536.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okafor, E.C.; Opuene, K., (2006). Correlations, partitioning and bioaccumulation of trace metals between different segments of Taylor Creek, southern Nigeria. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 3(4), 437–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okafor, E.C.; Opuene, K., (2007) Preliminary assessment of trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of Taylor Creek, Southern Nigeria. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., 4(2), 233–240.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prahl, F.G.; Carpenter, R., (1983). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) Phase association in Washington coastal sedimentary particulates from Dadob Bay, Washington D.C., Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 47, 463–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simoneit, B.R.T., (1977). Diterpenoid compounds and other lipids in deep-sea sediments and their geochemical significance. Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 41, 463–476.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolosa, I.; de Mora, S.; Sheikholeslami, M.R., Villeneuve, J.P., Bartocci, J., Cattini, C., (2004) Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal Caspian Sea sediments. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 48, 44–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wakeham, S.G., Schaffiner, C., Giger, W., (1980). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in recent lake sediments II: Compounds derived from biogenic precursors during early diagenesis. Geochem. Cosmochim. Ac., 44, 415–429.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao-Jun, L.; She-Jun, C.; Bi-Xian, M.; Qing-Shu, Y.; Guo-Ying, S.; Jia-Mo, F., (2006). Polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons in suspended particulate matter and sediments from the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent areas, China. Environ. Pollut., 139, 9–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesan, M.I., (1988). Occurrence and possible sources of perylene in marine: a review. Mar. Chem., 25, 1–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Witt, G., (1995). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and sediments of the Baltic Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 31, 1139–1149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, L.Y.; Cerniglia, C.E., (1995). Microbial transformation and degradation of Toxic Organic Chemicals. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Yunker, M.B.; Macdonald, R.W.; Vingazan, R.; Mitchell, R.H.; Goyette, D.; Sylvestre, S., (2002). PAHs in the Fraiser River Basin: a critical appraisal of PAHs ratios as indicators of PAH source and composition. Org. Geochem., 33, 489–515.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J.H., (1996). Biostatistical analysis. Prentice-Hall, upper Saddle River, 662.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J.L.; Maskaoui, K., (2003). Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and sediments from DaYa Bay, China. Environ. Pollut., 121, 269–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    K. Opuene Ph.D.

  2. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Niger Delta University, P.M.B. 71, Yenagoa, Nigeria

    I. E. Agbozu Ph.D. (lecturer)

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria

    L. E. Ekeh M.Phil, M.Sc. (student)

Authors
  1. K. Opuene Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. E. Agbozu Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. E. Ekeh M.Phil, M.Sc.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I. E. Agbozu Ph.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Opuene, K., Agbozu, I.E. & Ekeh, L.E. Identification of perylene in sediments: Occurrence and diagenetic evolution. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 4, 457–462 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325981

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325981

Keywords

Search

Navigation