Determination of sources, spatial variability, and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and sediment of Imiringi River

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very toxic and persistent environmental micro-contaminants that possess health-impacting tendencies. Environmental levels of PAHs mainly exacerbated by anthropogenic activities. At elevated concentrations, become readily bio-magnify across the food chain. This study was undertaken to determine concentration identify possible sources in Imiringi River. PAH concentrations depicted following ranges; Oswan-1 (0.00046 – 0.05010 mg/L 0.00002 0.01812 mg/kg); Olem-1 (0.02428 - 2.86264 0.00151 3.96536 Oswan-4 (0.00041 0.30012 0.00143 0.04530 mg/kg) for water sediment samples respectively. mostly exceeded recommended maximum contaminant (MCL) stipulated United States Protection Agency (USEPA), while high molecular weight (4 6 ring PAHs) prevalent environment. The applied diagnostic ratio (fluoranthene/pyrene) values surface waters at (0.8364) (0.7337), (0.4894) were less than 1, thereby reflecting petrogenic (from gasoline diesel). On other hand, Fluoranthene/Pyrene sediments from (2.4558), (2.3565) (2.0252) greater indicating pyrogenic coal combustion). Results further showed Fluoranthene/(Fluoranthene + Pyrene) all sampling locations 0.4 both sediment. Hence, revealing source combustion fossil fuel, coal, grass, wood, etc). Overall, body reasonable hydrocarbon contamination. As such, it is unsuitable consumption, as well recreational agricultural application One-way ANOVA statistics spatial variability (p < 0.05) different species sections river, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed discrete similarities most PAHs, excluding anthracene Dibenz(a,h)anthracene.