Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Lates niloticus, Oreochromis niloticus and Rastrineobola argentea as sources of human exposure in Kisumu Bay, Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria

Abstract

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lates niloticus, Oreochromis niloticus and Rastrineobola argentea from three beaches were assessed to establish whether they are sources of human exposure in Kisumu Bay, Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya. O. niloticus had 12 PAHs detected (TPAH 3.93 μg/kg); L. niloticus had 11 (TPAH 3.17 μg/kg). In both cases, the highest and lowest concentrations were Pyrene and Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, respectively, and the TPAHs were greater than the 2 μg/kg limit allowed by the European Commission although individually they were lower. R. argentea had 2 PAHs (TPAH 0.035 μg/kg). PAH pollution in the Winam Gulf, a potential source of exposure to human through contaminated fish, should be mitigated and safe management practices that reduce PAH levels should be adopted.