TITLE:
Pollution Studies on Soils from Crude Oil Producing Areas of Rivers State, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Chisom Onwuka, Augustine Nnaluo Eboatu, Vincent Ishmael Egbulefu Ajiwe, Ebele Joy Morah
KEYWORDS:
Soil Pollution, Oil Exploration, Heavy Metals, Rivers State
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.8 No.9,
September
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: Soil pollution assessment was carried out in seven oil producing areas in Rivers State, and also in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka which served as the control area. Five composite soil samples from five different locations were randomly collected in each local government area (L.G.A.) with oil deposits, at a depth of 1 metre using soil auger. The samples were air-dried, ground, sieved and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content and heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, lead and nickel), using standard procedures. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using mean and bar graphs, and the results obtained were compared with those from the control area and DPR Standard. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also done to establish the statistical difference between the study areas and the control area at 0.05 confidence level. The mean values of the parameters analyzed ranged as follows; pH: 4.25 - 6.48, electrical conductivity: 2.45 - 10.60 μS/cm, moisture: 0.60% - 0.90%, cadmium: 0.08 - 0.58 mg/kg, chromium: 2.86 - 7.91 mg/kg, lead: 0.22 - 9.79 mg/kg and nickel: 0.44 - 5.08 mg/kg. The control values were; pH: 6.04, electrical conductivity: 92.00 μS/cm, moisture: 0.80%, cadmium: 0.09 mg/kg, chromium: 8.72 mg/kg, lead: 1.04 mg/kg and nickel: 0.89 mg/kg. The results revealed that the pH levels of the soils were acidic and most of the values were within the DPR limit. Electrical conductivity and moisture contents of the soils were low and also below the control value and DPR standard. Heavy metal concentrations in the soils exceeded the control values but were below DPR limit. ANOVA results showed that there was a significant difference (p