Exposure levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in wild rats in Kumasi, Ghana
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Date
2015-08-31
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Peer reviewed and revised papers
Abstract
Wild rats were trapped from communities in Kumasi, Ghana, to determine the
concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals.
The results of the study showed that phenanthrene (0.51 ± 0.08 ng/g dw) was the
most abundant individual PAH in the liver of wild rats. The ΣPAH concentrations
in liver ranged from 0.05 to 1.64 ng/g dw in Bomso (a community) and city centre,
respectively. Abundance of individual PAHs in the liver of wild rats decreased in the
order: phenanthrene > pyrene > acenaphthene > naphthalene > fluoranthene and >
anthracene. Levels of phenanthrene and pyrene detected were significantly higher
than other PAHs. Naphthalene and fluoranthene were detected in 80% and 78% of
the samples collected respectively. Heavy metals in the liver of wild rats in Kumasi
decreased in the order Zn > Cu > As > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd > Cr.
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An article published by Peer reviewed and revised papers
Keywords
Wild rats,, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,, Heavy metals,, Ghana