Date of Award
Fall 12-14-2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Geosciences
First Advisor
Daniel Deocampo
Second Advisor
Brian Meyer
Third Advisor
Nadine Kabengi
Abstract
ABSTRACT
To compare the degree of biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments from Ikarama and Okwori in the Niger delta, Nigeria, concentrations of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments were measured. Analysis was conducted with gas chromatography using mass spectrometry detector. While the decrease in concentrations of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons confirmed the process of biodegradation in the sediments it was not solely fit to substantiate the degree of biodegradation in the sediments. Hence the percentage proportion of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was used. The degree of biodegradation of n-alkanes in both Okwori and Ikarama was almost similar. However, it was observed that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were biodegraded in Okwori sediments than Ikarama sediments and this indicates the degree of biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons impacted sediments in Okwori is greater than that of Ikarama.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/9396012
Recommended Citation
ONIBIYO, SAMSON, "Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Contaminated Coastal Environments, Nigeria." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2016.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/9396012