Levels and Distribution of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) in Fish, Water and Sediments from Etelebou: A Tributary of Taylor Creek in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) are volatile organic compounds that are found in petroleum and petroleum products, e.g., gasoline, coal, and wood tars and are clear, colorless, highly flammable liquids at room temperature, sweet smell and evaporate quickly. The study was conducted in Etelebou, a tributary of Taylor Creek located in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Etelebou is a significant watercourse that feeds into the larger Taylor Creek system, which plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and the livelihoods of surrounding communities. The coordinates lies between longitude E006020’38.0’’ and E006020’57.2’’ and latitude N050’02’12.8’’ and N05002’57.6’’. Samples of water, fish, and sediment were collected from different locations within the Etelebou tributary to evaluate the distribution of BTEX compounds. Water samples were collected using clean glass bottles, ensuring that no contaminants entered the samples during collection. Fish tissue samples were obtained by capturing fish from the tributary, followed by cleaning and homogenizing the muscle tissue for analysis. Sediment samples were collected using a sediment corer to obtain undisturbed samples from different depths of the streambed, which were then air-dried and sieved to a consistent particle size for analysis. All samples were analyzed following standard procedures. Physicochemical characteristics of temperature ranging from 28.75 ºC to 29.30 ºC, pH values ranged from 6.45 to 6.78, Alkalinity ranged from 87.50 mg/l to 216.67 mg/l, Acidity levels varied from 76.08 mg/l to 168.42 mg/l, Conductivity (µS/cm) ranging from 52.50 to 70.17, Total dissolved solids (TDS) levels ranged from 36.83 ± 3.77 mg/l, Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations ranged from 3.65 mg/l to 4.78 mg/l, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values ranged from 1.42 mg/l to 3.60 mg/l. The levels of BTEX were found to be below detectable limits (ND) in fish, water and sediment samples.