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Bioaccumulation and Human Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) Concentration in Fiddler Crab ( Afruca Tangeri ) From Bomu Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Barile, LB Moslen, M Green, A

Abstract

Fiddler crabs are sediment-dwelling intertidal crustaceans that are continuously exposed to hydrocarbons deposited in mangrove creeks and may pass them on through the food web. This study determined the concentrations of the sixteen USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the West African fiddler crab (Afruca tangeri) from Bomu Creek, Gokana, Rivers State, Nigeria, and estimated the human health risk associated with consumption of the crab tissue. Crab tissue was collected monthly from three stations (in duplicate) between February and May 2026 and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary daily intake , carcinogenic potency (B(A)Peq), toxic equivalents , PAH4, excess cancer risk and margin of exposure were computed using regulatory limits of the European Union and the European Food Safety Authority (MOE, 10,000) for guidance. All sixteen PAHs were detected, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.152 μg/kg (naphthalene) to 8.432 μg/kg (dibenzo[a,h]anthracene); high molecular weight congeners accounted for 87% of the total PAH Concentration in Afruca tangeri. Concentrations did not differ significantly among stations (P>0.05) but varied between months for fluorene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene (P<0.05). Benzo[a]pyrene (0.885 μg/kg) and PAH4 (8.000 μg/kg) were below the European Union maximum limits of 5.0 and 30.0 μg/kg, respectively. The DDI of individual congeners ranged from 0.0084 to 0.4621 μg/day. The TEQ was 48.25 μg/kg BaP equivalents, 87% of which came from dibenzo[a,h]anthracene. The summed ECR (8.58 × 10-4) exceeded the USEPA benchmark of 10-6. whereas the MOE of every congener and of PAH4 exceeded the critical value of 10,000, although that of dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (10,605) was close to it. Diagnostic ratios indicated PAH sources of pyrogenic origin. The study concluded that Afruca tangeri in Bomu Creek has a measurable PAH concentration of potential carcinogenic concern, and recommends regular monitoring, investigation of combustion-related sources, and use of the species as a sentinel for PAH pollution.

Keywords

Bioaccumulation; Afruca tangeri; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Health risk; Niger Delta P-ISSN 2695-222X

References

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