Evaluation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) in Sediments and Aquatic macrophytes in the River Nun, Amasoma Axises, Niger Delta, Nigeria.

The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) in the bottom sediments and aquatic macrophytes of the River Nun at AmasomaAxises was investigated in December, 2017. This was done to establish the existing levels of TPH in the River in order to ascertain the degree of its threat to the environment. Benthic samples were collected close to the shore with the aid of a hand trowel and put in aluminum foils, while macrophyte samples were collected by hand pulling and transported in plastic bags for laboratory analysis. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Microsoft Excell^® tool pack. Regression analysis was employed in order to determine the correlation between TPH in bottom sediments with that in plant tissues (leaf, stem and root). Analysis of variance was employed at the 95% confidence level to determine the degree of significance in interaction of TPH between sediments and macrophyte tissues and between macrophyte tissues (leaf, stem, and root). Duncan multiple range test was use to compare means. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for TPH in order to estimate the absorption rate of TPH between sediments and plant tissues (leaf, stem and root). Results indicate that TPH were recorded in sediments and plant tissues. TPH concentrations were greater in plant tissues than in sediments. Concentration of TPH showed concentrations indicating that root> stem> leaf in most stations. The relationships between the TPH attributes indicated strong association between Leaves and stem (r² = 0.92). Strong negative association was also observed between sediment and stem (r² = -0.83) while sediment and leaves (r² = -0.64) had moderate negative relationship. It can be concluded that the River Nun at AmasomaAxises is mildly polluted due to land based activities and therefore there is a need to enact water use regulatory ordinances to protect its ecology. Sediment organisms and plants are vital links to man in the food chain. This may portend danger in the future.