Analysis of soil chemical parameters of an uncleaned crude oil spill site at Biara, Gokana L.G.A. of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Analysis of soil chemical parameters of an uncleaned crude oil spill site at Biara was carried out. Soil samples were collected at 0 -15 cm and 15 – 30 cm soil depths from both polluted and unpolluted sites for analysis. Significant increase in high total hydrocarbon content (1015±80.5 – 1150±90.1 mg/kg) in polluted site was observed as against 31.5±27.9 – 67±26.1 mg/kg of the unpolluted site. There were reductions in soil conductivity (6.7±0.3 – 7.0±0.6 μS/cm), nitrate (23.04±0.98 – 25.92±4.7 mg/kg) and phosphate (9.63±1.38 – 11.04±3.6 mg/kg) in polluted soil compared with 11.7±0.3 – 12.3±0.9 μS/cm, 61.76±5.4 – 111.3±7.6 mg/kg, and 19.28±2.7 – 20.6±6.3 mg/kg respectively in the unpolluted site. Results also showed pH ranged from 5.13±0.07 to 5.43±0.09, total organic carbon from (0.86±0.11% to 1.0±0.05%) and total organic matter from (1.49±0.11% to 1.71±0.05%) with no significant difference between polluted and unpolluted sites. Therefore, it was concluded that oil spill altered soil chemical properties of the polluted soil. Therefore, clean up of the impacted site should be undertaken.

Keywords: Soil, Pollution, Hydrocarbon, Biara, Crude oil.