Contamination Profile of Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals in Soil from an Artisanal Refining Site, K-Dere South-South Nigeria

soils from K-Dere artisanal refining site and Nwinua mangrove forest Kono (control site), Ogoni Rivers State. Hydrocarbons were analysed with gas chromatography; heavy metals were analysed using AAS. The study showed that there were spatial, temporal and significantly statistical variations (P<0.05) of TPH, total PAHs and heavy metals between study areas. Concentration of TPH peaked at 250,602mg/kg was found in intertidal soil sample where artisanal refining activities are carried out against 78.00mg/kg found in the control site in Kono. These values are well above EGASPIN target value of 1mgkg-1 in soil. The observed concentration of PAHs at the study areas varied both temporally and spatially in the soil samples analysed. The maximum mean PAHs concentration (68.85 ± 53.59mgkg^-1) and the lowest mean (8.50 ± 7.15mgkg^-1) was recorded in August and September 2018 at the artisanal refining site while the highest mean (21.99mgkg^-1) were recorded in May 2019 at the control site. These values are far higher than the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR, 2002) target value for PAHs in soil 1mgkg-1 and also higher than the limit set by World Health Organization (WHO) (0.1mg/kg), thus raising concern of human exposure to cancer through food chain. High levels of heavy metals Fe (219 – 13, 234mgkg^-1), Pb (2.66 ± 0.39 – 3.15 ± 0.45mgkg^-1), Cr (BDL – 89.21mgkg^-1), Zn (23.00 – 111.10mgkg^-1), Cd (7.25 ± 1.11 – 8.06 ± 1.21mgkg^-1) were observed in soil samples from the artisanal refining site. These values are all indicators of pollution, and environmental degradation. Therefore, it is recommended that crops should not be planted at areas proximate to artisanal refining site as this may have effect on human through food chain. It is also recommended that artisanal refining activities in the area should be discouraged to avoid further contamination in the area.

Keywords: Soil, artisanal refinery, heavy metals, PAHs and TPH.

Title: Contamination Profile of Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals in Soil from an Artisanal Refining Site, K-Dere South-South Nigeria

Author: Sibe, L., Onwugbuta, G. C.

International Journal of Recent Research in Interdisciplinary Sciences (IJRRIS)

ISSN 2350-1049

Vol. 10, Issue 1, January 2023 - March 2023

Page No: 23-30

Paper Publications

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Published Date: 11-March-2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7721799

Paper Download Link (Source)

https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/Contamination%20Profile%20of%20Hydrocarbons-11032023-3.pdf