Abstract

Introduction: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common pollutants in water that have been reported to cause severe health effects in humans and harm the ecosystem. Aims: This study examined the concentrations of PAHs in different water sources used for domestic purposes in Ijegun- Egba community. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four (24) groundwater samples were collected from four sites in Ijegun-Egba. The Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods and PAHs were determined through Gas chromatography-flame – Flame ionization detector. Results: The appearance, odour, and temperature were within the limits of World Health Organisation (WHO). Conductivity levels were within the WHO limit (2,500µS/cm) in well water (1,400µS/cm) and borehole water (1,470 µS/cm) except for river water (4,432.5 µS/cm) which was above WHO recommended limit (2,500µS/cm). pH was within limits in all sites studied except for borehole water (pH =4.0). Among the 16 PAHs, Naphthalene (NAPH) was generally the most abundant PAH (23.89% to Σ16PAHs). There was a significant difference (at < 0.005) in the level of PAHs in the four sources of water. Conclusion: River water has the highest level of PAHs. This points to the activities of the tank farms and suggests that petrol and oil deposits find themselves either through percolation, soil runoffs, or erosion into the water bodies. The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency should continue to monitor the activities of oil tankers in Ijegun community oil deports. Truck stations should be built outside the community and the residents should avoid the use of water from rivers in Ijegun community.

Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Heavy metals, Groundwater, Pollutants , and Hydrocarbon