INFLUENCE OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON (PAH) CONCENTRATION ON MACROPHYTE ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION IN MANGROVE WETLANDS IN IBENO LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67487/jbes.vi.i1.252Keywords:
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), Contamination, Macrophyte Abundance, Mangrove Wetlands, Ibeno LGA and Akwa Ibom StateAbstract
There is abundant growth of invasive species against native species in PAH contaminated mangroves wetlands in Akwa Ibom State. This study is aimed at investigating the influence of PAH concentration on macrophyte abundance and distribution in mangrove wetlands in Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Vegetation and soil samples were collected systematically using five 5 m × 5 m quadrats placed at 10 m intervals along belt transects. While soil samples were collected using a soil auger and transported for laboratory analysis. Plant species were identified, counted, and recorded to determine species frequency and density using standard ecological methods. Sediment samples were prepared for hydrocarbon analysis and digested and further Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) analysis was done. The results revealed that Nypa fruticans was the most dominant species (IVI = 49.84; density = 150), while Acrostichum aureum and Avicennia africana were the most frequently occurring species (100% frequency). Site 2 recorded the highest diversity (Shannon H = 1.735; Simpson 1−D = 0.7878; Equitability J = 0.8919), while Site 1 showed the highest dominance (D = 0.7437; Berger-Parker = 0.8571). Site 3 recorded the highest species richness (Menhinick = 0.6187; Margalef = 1.237; Fisher’s alpha = 1.591). For PAHs, Site 3 recorded the highest concentrations, with peak values in benzo(k)fluoranthene (9.265 µg/g), anthracene (8.722 µg/g), and fluoranthene (6.940 µg/g). Significant correlations were observed for fluoranthene (r = 0.999; Margalef and Fisher’s alpha) and pyrene (r = 0.983; Fisher’s alpha), while dominance showed strong negative correlations with fluoranthene (r = −0.795) and pyrene (r = −0.659). The mangrove ecosystem is being degraded by hydrocarbon contamination and invasion of Nypa fruticans, resulting in reduced biodiversity and altered species composition, despite the persistence of native species such as Avicennia africana, Acrostichum aureum, and Rhizophora mangle, and therefore requires continuous monitoring, pollution control, habitat restoration, and management of invasive species for ecosystem sustainability.
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