Diagnosis of Crude Oil Impacted Soil in Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria
Olukaejire SJ
Department of Geography, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Ifiora CC
Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Osaro PA *
Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Osuji LC
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Hart AI
Department of Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study assessed the potential effects of crude oil on soil quality in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. Soil samples were collected from 10 geopolitical wards of the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The soil and water samples were subjected to physicochemical and microbial analyses to test for pH, heavy metal content (Cadmium, Iron, Lead, Copper, and Chromium), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX) contents and Total Viable Count (TVC). Parameters of the soil were determined and compared to the control site and the permissible World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The soil pH varied across location, ranging from 5.5-7. TPH varied in across the different communities studied, ranging from 1.275-4889.29 mg/kg, and exceeding the WHO limit of 10mg/kg in all polluted soils. The result for the heavy metals showed that the soil samples of the studied sites showed increases in all heavy metals, when compared to the control. Cd values ranged from 0.01 - 0.32 mg/kg; Fe from 1325.23 - 9364.76 mg/kg, Pb from 0.001 mg/kg to 0.93 mg/kg and Cr from 0.001 - 5.08 mg/kg, all with WHO limits. The result for the microbial showed increases in TVC content in polluted soil. Results indicate that crude oil spillage has led to significant contamination of soil in the study area which could affect soil fertility.
Keywords: Crude oil, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, soil