Characterization of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Wetlands of Gbokoda and Environs for Pen Aquaculture Adoption as a Recipe for Achieving Zero Hunger in Nigeria

This was an ex-post facto research that investigated the PAHs content in the wetlands in Gbokoda and its environs for their suitability for pen aquaculture adoption for zero hunger in Nigeria. The study answered 5 research questions and tested a hypothesis. In accomplishing these, Gbokoda, Eghoro, Jakpa, Kolokola, Ogheghe and Oru-Megege wetlands were mapped into 5 research grid. Water samples were collected from 5 spots in each grid with plastic sampling bottles at the depth of 10cm using grab sampling techniques. The samples in each grid were bulked and composites drawn fixed with HNO4 and stored in ice-cooled boxes for analysis. The analytical standards adpted was EU 1881/2014 and the instrument of determination deployed was Agilent GC/MS. Tripple Quadrupole model 7000. The mean results obtained were pyrene 1.06±0.01μg/l, chrysene, 1.07±0.11μg/l, BaP, 1.06±0.01μg/l, BaA; 1.06±0.01μg/l and BbF, 1.06±0.01μg/l. The mean results obtained were subjected to test of significance with SPSS IBM model 29 at 0.05 level of significance and the p value was 0.043 thus rejecting H0. The study concluded that the wetlands were polluted with PAHs investigated above the limit of MPC established by EU 1881/2014, thus pen aquaculture cannot be adopted as the produce will not be fit for human and animal consumption. The produce also will not be exportable. The study recommended that oil companies operating in Gbokoda and environs should adopt the world best practices in oil industry, the monitoring agencies NESREA and NOSDRA should improve on their surveillance while the impacted ecosystem be remediated and restored to allow for the adoption of pen aquaculture for zero hunger in Nigeria.