Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Evaluation of Soil and Ground Water Quality Around

an Oil Loading Facility at Eleme, Rivers State
Udeh I.I, Ubong I.U, Ngah S.A, Abam T.S.K
Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management (IGEM),
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: Soil and groundwater quality around an oil may contain spent catalysts which are not recovered in most
leading facility were evaluated. The facilities are located cases but discharged into soil and receiving water bodies
in Eleme, Rivers state Nigeria. Sampling of soils was these accumulate in surface water, sediments of rivers and
done at 2 depths (0 - 15 and 15 – 30cm) at 8 stations and ultimately ground water.
one control point. AAS was used to analyze heavy Petroleum is a natural resource of global
metals, Hydrocarbons were analyzed with GC- FID and importance; it is used by many industries
VOCs were analyzed with Headspace analyzing of the world for different purposes. PIEP
techniques respectively.The transfer ration of heavy (1995) noted that despite improvements in
metal and hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater were the technical conditions of involved in the
less than one. The concentration of underground water production storage, and distribution of
Cd, Ni obtained were below WHO permissible value for liquid fuels, the threat to the environment
water, while Vi was not detected. The concentration of posed by petroleum substances is real,
Pb in the 3 boreholes each (BH1, BH2 and BH3) for Aba Kolzwanet al., (2001), observed that
and Eleme were above WHO permissible value for contamination of soil and water by
water. The concentration of TPH obtained in petroleum substances negatively affects
groundwater (BH1, BH2 and BH3) exceeded the plants production, and puts health of
permissible limit stipulated by WHO (2011). This study people and animals at risk as most of the
has revealed that refined hydrocarbon from loading substances are toxic to living organisms.
facilities are sources of heavy metals and hydrocarbons
contamination of the environment. Hence it will be very A group of organic pollutants comprising benzene,
necessary to monitor loading activities in refined toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) contains volatile
Hydrocarbon loading facilities. organic compounds (VOCs) and Heavy metals which can
contaminate or pollute soils through spills involving the
I. INTRODUCTION release of petroleum products such as gasoline, Automotive
gas oil, lubricating oil and heating oil from leaking oil tanks
The process of crude oil exploration, production, (Salanitroet al., 1997 and Nwankwoala, 2014). BTEX have
refining, transportation and storage could result in oil leaks in recent years, attracted much attention, since they
and accidental spills causing environmental constitute one of the most common major threats to ground
pollution.Petroleum hydrocarbon has tremendous impact on water reservoirs. (UzoekweandOghosanine, 2011). This is
the world civilization as it is the major source of energy for mainly due to the potential effects of benzene, which is
industries and daily life. The increase in demand for considered a strong carcinogen and is highly mobile in the
petroleum product has result in an increase in their soil and ground water environments. Activities involving the
production, transportation and refining which in turn has use of petrol, heating fuel, and kerosene containing
resulted in gross pollution of the environment (Gutnick and significant percentages of BTEX can produce pollutants and
Rosenberg, 1997). Kvenvolden and Cooper (2003) contaminants. BTEX are prime pollutants/contaminants that
estimated annual petroleum hydrocarbon seepage of 600,000 have attracted wide attention because of their high-water
metric tons. Accidental or anthropogenic release of solubility and toxicity (Li and Zhou, 2011 andNourmoradi,
petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment is a main cause et al., 2012). Petroleum is an extremely complex mixture of
of water and soil pollution. Soil contaminated with hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon Compounds
hydrocarbons causes extensive damage to plants and animal (Chilingarian and Yen, 1978). Petroleum can be separated
tissues and could lead to death or mutation. roughly into eight fractions based on carbon numbers
because of the relationship between boiling point and
The increased oil activities have resulted to extensive molecular weight (Morrison and Boyd, 1966). The eight
environmental pollution by oil spills involving blowouts, different fractions include natural gas, petroleum ether,
leakages from tanks and tanker trucks and dumping of waste Ligroin (Light naphtha), gasoline, kerosene, gas oil (diesel)
petroleum products into the environment. Crude oil when lubricating oil and asphalt (petroleum coke). However, each
refined contains a wide range of components such as fraction is still a very complicated mixture since each carbon
hydrocarbons, heavy metals, dye additives, antioxidants, number is represented by numerous isomers.
corrosion inhibitors, etc. The refined products show higher
toxicity compared to crude oil since metal speciation is Mecham (1993), noted that during releases from
altered and new metals added to the matrix during the leaking tanks and pipes, gasoline rises to the top of the water
refining process. The waste generated from such process table, where a fraction of the soluble components (BTEX)

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
dissolve into the water. These compounds are toxic and/or contaminants from both soils and surface water and from
carcinogenic to humans. Dean, (1985). MFE (1999), other direct sources like leakages from buried chemical
observed that where fresh petrol is present on a site as a tanks (Majolagbeet al., 2011). The environmental
floating layer of liquid phase hydrocarbon, the potential consequences of soil pollution include adverse effect on the
human health and environmental risk is likely to be high. soil microflora all of which assist in soil fertility (Odu, 1977
This is principally because of the presence of high vapor and Torstenssonet al., 1998).
concentration, high concentrations of BTEX compounds to
leach into an underlying groundwater system (Finley et al., II. MATERIALS
1994).
Eight (8) soil samples were collected from the loading
Polycyclic Aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are facility. Soil samples was also be collected from 1km away
aromatic hydrocarbons with two or more fused benzene from the loading facility as control.
rings in various structural configurations and do not contain
hetero-atom or carry substituents (Abdulazeez, 2017; Soils were collected at 01-15cm and 15-30cm depths at
Blumer et al., 1977; Vichiet al.,2015, Haritash and Kaushik each station using the soil Auger. The collection of samples
2009, Kim et al., 2014, Masih and Lal, 2014; Nguyen et al., wasachieved by taking 2-3 auger borings of soil at the
2014. Sharma, 2014). PAH only consist of carbon and loading facility and bulked together to make a composite
hydrogen bound in simple to complex ring systems, their sample. The bulking of the samples from the two depth
benzene ring arrangements have a wide range diversity of regimes (0-15cm) and (15-30cm) was done separately. Soil
physical, chemical and toxicological characteristic samples were collected in well-labelled Ziploc bags and
(Abdulazeez, 2017; Cerniglia, 1992). taken to the laboratory where the sampleswere air-dried
prior to laboratory analysis. Three(3) water samples were
Today's society is increasingly concerned about soil collected from 3 existing boreholes randomly selected from
degradation, the sustainability of soil productivity, ground within the study area and one (1) sample was collected from
water quality and maintenance of biodiversity. Water an existing borehole with proximity of 1km away from the
quality is of vital concern to mankind, since it is directly loading facility as the control sample.
linked with human welfare (Balakishnanet al., 2011). Water
supports all forms of biological resources (plant and animal III. METHOD
life) and are normally obtained from two major natural Sampling of soils was done at 2 depths (0 - 15 and 15 –
sources which are water (water bodies) such as rivers, 30cm) at 8 stations and one control point and Eleme station.
streams, fresh water lakes and ground water (geological Soil samples were kept in clean polyethylene bags and
water) such as borehole and well water (Mendie, 2005). carefully labelled for easy identification and to reduce the
Water is capable of dissolving, absorbing, and adsorbing or effect of contamination. Thereafter, samples were
suspending many different compounds as well as transported to the laboratory to be air-dried at room
contaminants from its surrounding and those arising from temperature, crushed and passed through 2mm mesh sieve
humans and animals as well as other biological activities and late stored in clean plastic bags with proper labelling.
due to its distinctive chemical properties. Ground water AAS was used to analyze heavy metals, GC- FID was used
contamination is one of the essential environmental issues to analyze the hydrocarbon and Headspace was used to
confronting mankind today (Vodelaet al.,1979) and between analyze the VOCs respectively. Soil and groundwater
the wide diversity of contaminants affecting water resources samples were analyzed for the following parameters; pH,
in recent time heavy metals receive particular concern as a electrical conductivity, organic matter content, organic
result of their strong toxicity even at low concentrations carbon content, available nitrogen, particle size distribution,
(Olowuet al., 2012). Ground water contamination with its cation exchange capacity, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, V, Zn
subsequent degradation is more threatening, more so when it and Fe) and Hydrocarbons (PTH, BTEX, and PAHs)
is realized that dynamic equilibrium maintained by gravity content.
and capillary exists between surface and groundwater
(OtokuneforandObiukwu, 2005). land is a receiver of

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
IV. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

The study area was Eleme Rivers State, Nigeria.

V. RESULT
A. SOIL
Analytical Report for 0-15cm Soil Samples at Eleme

PARAMETERS SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 SS9 Control

pH 6.54 6.40 5.85 6.80 6.33 5.02 6.78 5.88 5.96 6.54

Conductivity 34.86 40.77 38.96 40.66 43.76 39.62 42.64 38.54 37.80 34.86

CEC 1.86 2.05 1.77 2.31 2.65 1.76 2.50 2.42 2.65 1.86

TOC 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.32 0.43 0.38 0.45 0.44 0.37 0.3

Phosphate, mg/kg 0.06 0.18 0.08 0.23 0.16 0.28 0.14 0.07 0.22 0.34

Nitrate, mg/kg 1.05 1.25 0.93 1.12 0.86 0.96 0.86 1.03 0.85 1.53

Sulphate, mg/kg 0.88 0.54 0.74 0.32 0.06 0.14 0.65 0.44 0.42 0.93

% Sand 56 60 57 62 59 57 54 62 57 60

% Silt 33 28 25 30 26 29 21 24 28 22

% Clay 11 12 18 8 15 15 15 14 15 18

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Analytical Report for 15-30cm Soil Samples at Eleme

PARAMETERS SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 SS9 Control

pH 6.55 6.40 5.85 6.80 6.34 5.03 6.78 5.88 5.96 6.54

Conductivity 34.86 40.77 38.96 40.66 43.76 39.62 42.64 38.54 37.80 34.86

CEC 1.86 2.05 1.77 2.31 2.65 1.76 2.50 2.42 2.65 1.86

TOC 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.32 0.43 0.38 0.45 0.44 0.37 0.3

Phosphate, mg/kg 0.06 0.19 0.08 0.24 0.16 0.28 0.14 0.07 0.21 0.34

Nitrate, mg/kg 1.05 1.25 0.92 1.12 0.88 0.96 0.86 1.04 0.85 1.53

Sulphate, mg/kg 0.88 0.55 0.74 0.32 0.08 0.14 0.63 0.44 0.42 0.93

% Sand 56 61 57 63 59 57 55 62 57 60

%Silt 33 28 25 30 26 29 21 24 27 22

% Clay 11 12 18 8 15 16 16 14 15 18

BTEX BDL BDL BDL 3 BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL

PAH in 0-15cm Soil Samples at Eleme

Component (mg/kg) SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 SS9 Control

Naphthalene 0.56 0.55 0.001 1.02 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.66 0.002
Acenaphthalene 0.18 0.02 0.001 0.21 0.001 0.001 0.12 0.001 0.83 0.001
Acenaphthene 0.53 2.64 0.001 0.54 0.001 0.001 0.06 0.001 0.45 0.001
Florene 0.06 0.65 0.001 0.22 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.01 0.001
Phenathrene 0.001 0.11 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.73 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Anthracene 0.001 0.75 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0,001
Fluoranthene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Pyrene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Benzo(a)anthracene 0.16 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Crysene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.36 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Benzo(b)fluoranthrene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.22 0.001
Benzo(a)pyrene 0.001 0.001 0.54 1.06 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Benzo(k)fluoranthrene 0.33 0.54 0.08 3.01 0.001 0.84 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Indeno(1,2,3)perylene 1.86 2.06 0.26 0.64 0.001 1.35 0.001 0.33 2.42 0.003
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene 2.65 0.33 1.03 2.38 0.001 0,42 1.33 1.98 1.65 0.001
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 0.11 0.001 0.01 0.12 0.001 0.001 0.86 2.05 0.001 0.001
Total PAH 6.45 4.44 1.92 9.56 0.001 3.34 2.37 4.36 6.24 1.55

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
PAH in 15-30cm Soil Samples at Eleme
Component (mg/kg) SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 SS9 Control

Acenaphthalene 0.18 0.02 0.001 0.21 0.001 0.001 0.12 0.001 0.83 0.001
Acenaphthene 0.53 2.64 0.001 0.54 0.001 0.001 0.06 0.001 0.45 0.001
Florene 0.06 0.65 0.001 0.22 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.01 0.001
Phenathrene 0.001 0.11 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.73 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Anthracene 0.001 0.75 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0,001
Fluoranthene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Pyrene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Benzo(a)anthracene 0.16 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Crysene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.36 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Benzo(b)fluoranthrene 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.22 0.001

Benzo(a)pyrene 0.001 0.001 0.54 1.06 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Benzo(k)fluoranthrene 0.33 0.54 0.08 3.01 0.001 0.84 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Indeno(1,2,3)perylene 1.86 2.06 0.26 0.64 0.001 1.35 0.001 0.33 2.42 0.003

Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene 2.65 0.33 1.03 2.38 0.001 0,42 1.33 1.98 1.65 0.001
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 0.11 0.001 0.01 0.12 0.001 0.001 0.86 2.05 0.001 0.001

Total PAH 6.45 4.44 1.92 9.56 0.001 3.34 2.37 4.36 6.24 1.55

TPH in 0-15cm Soil Samples at Eleme

TPH COMPONENT SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 SS9 CONTROL

nC6-nC12 2.13 1.48 4.88 6.82 4.26 5.45 3.63 3.45 5.22 <0.001

nC13-nC22 6.84 10.75 18.20 12.66 13.52 8.65 17.33 5.42 3.46 <0.001

nC23-nC40 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.001
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Total TPH (mg/kg) 8.97 12.23 23.08 19.48 17.78 14.10 20.96 8.87 8.68 <0.001

TPH in 15-30cm Soil Samples at Eleme

TPH COMPONENT SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 SS9 CONTROL
nC6-nC12 2.18 1.48 4.88 6.88 4.26 5.45 3.63 3.45 5.22 <0.001

nC13-nC22 6.86 10.75 18.20 12.66 13.57 8.65 17.35 5.42 3.49 <0.001

nC23-nC40 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.00 <0.001
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Total TPH (mg/kg) 9.04 12.23 23.08 19.54 17.83 14.10 20.98 8.87 8.71 <0.001

BTEX and Heavy Metals in 0-15cm Soil Samples at Eleme

PARAMETER SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 Control
BTEX <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Fe 87.8 73.2 71.76 82.54 103.10 96.80 104.65 86.70 59.55
Mg 10.63 14.11 14.03 21.84 4.45 22.54 7.25 39.50 16.23
Pb 1.58 0.78 0.70 1.07 0.34 1.22 1.03 0.84 1.28
Cd 0.51 0.02 0.025 0.02 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.01
V <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Zn 4.82 4.92 4.85 9.83 6.61 8.51 1.84 3.43 4.25
Ni 6.85 6.22 7.41 5.26 4.64 3.86 4.61 3.04 3.14

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
BTEX and Heavy Metals in 15-30cm Soil Samples at Eleme
PARAMETER SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 SS7 SS8 Control
BTEX <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Fe 87.85 73.5 71.82 82.56 103.10 96.80 104.65 86.70 59.62
Mg 10.64 14.16 14.03 21.85 4.47 22.66 7.26 32.50 16.28
Pb 1.56 0.77 1.07. 1.03 0.35 1.22 0.70 0.86 1.26
Cd 0.51 0.02 0.42 0.02 0.01 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.01
V <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Zn 4.86 4.91 4.86 9.83 6.61 8.54 1.86 3.43 4.25
Ni 6.84 6.23 7.41 5.28 3.64 3.87 4.65 3.06 3.14

 Poly Aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in soil in subsurface soil sample is from 0.35 to 1.56mg/kg. The
In surface soil sample, the order of PAH concentrations concentration value obtained at the controls sample are
obtained ranged from 1.92 mg/kg to 9.56mg/kgwith mean 1.28mg/kg and 1.26mg/kg for surface and sub surface soil
value of 4.30 mg/kg. the PAH concentration obtained in samples respectively.
control study sample is 1.55mg/kg. In subsurface of study  Cadmium Cd
sample, PAH concentration obtained ranged from 1.93 to The concentration of Cadmium obtained ranges from 0.01
9.58 mg/kg with mean value of 4.30 mg/kg. to 0.51mg/kg and 0.01 to 0.52mg/kg in surface and
 TPH subsurface soil samples respectively. The concentration of
The TPH concentration obtained in surface soil ranged Cadmium obtained at the control soil samples 0.01mg/kg
from 8.68 to 23.08mg/kg with a mean value of for both surface and sub surface soil samples respectively.
14.91mg/kg  Vanadium V
The TPH concentration obtained in subsurface soil ranged In all the study samples, vanadium was found to be below
from 8.71 to 23.08mg/kg with mean value of 14.93mg/kg detectable level (<0.001mg/kg) of then machine.
 HEAVY METALS IN SOIL  Zinc Zn
Iron Fe Zinc concentration obtained ranges from 1.84 to
Iron concentration for surface soil sample ranges from 9.83mg/kg and 1.86 to 9.83mg/kg for surface and sub
71.76 to 104.650mg.kg with a mean value of 88.32 mg/kg. surface soil samples respectively. In the control soil
The concentration in subsurface soil sample ranges from samples,the concentration of Cadmium obtained is
71.82 to104.65mg/kg with mean value of 88.37mg/kg, and 0.01mg/kg for both surface and sub surface samples.
concentration of 59.55mg/kg and 59.62 mg/kg for control  Nickel Ni
samples respectively. The Nickel concentration obtained in surface soil sample
 Magnesium Mg ranges from 3.04 to 7.41mg/kg. In the subsurface soil
The concentration of Magnesium ranges from sample, the Nickel concentration ranges from 3.06 to
4.45to39.50mg/kg with a mean value 19.4mg/kg. in 7.41mg/kg. at the control study samples, the concentration
surface soil sample.The concentration of Magnesium in of Nickel is 3.14mg/kg for both surface and sub surface
subsurface of soil samplesranges from 4.47 to samples.
32.50mg/kg. the concentration values obtained in the  BTEX
control samples are 16.23mg/kg and 16.28mg/kg for BTEX concentrations recorded in both study and control
surface and sub surface control soil samples respectively. samples for both surface and subsurface soils were below
 Lead Pb equipment detection limit of 0.001mg/kg.
The concentration Lead ranges from 0.34 to 1.58mg/kg in
the surface soil sample. The concentration of Pb obtained

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
B. Groundwater

Physico-Chemical Properties of Water Samples in Eleme

PARAMETER ELEME CONTROL ELEME
BH1 BH2 BH3
pH 6.9 6.4 6.2 6.9
Temp (0 C) 26.8 26.8 26.8 26.7
Conductivity(µs/cm) 220 158 159 171
Turbidity(NTU) 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5
Total Hardness(mg/l) 11.2 11.1 10.9 10.7
Nitrate(mg/l) 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.03
Sulphate(mg/l) 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.04
Total dissolved Solids(mg/l) 99 88 78 89
Hydrogen Sulphide(mg/l) <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
Salinity as in Chloride(mg/l) 8.2 8.1 8.1 8.5
Total suspended 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.6
Solids(mg/l)
Alkalinity(mg/l) 28 28 29 30
Fe(mg/l) 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.07
Mg(mg/l) 2.4 2.4 2.1 2.05
Pb (mg/) 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.10
Cd (mg/l) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02
V (mg/l) <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
Zn (mg/l) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Ni (mg/l) 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.04

Environmental Guidelines and Standards for Soil for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN) (2018 Revised)
Target Values Intervention
PARAMETER (mg/kg) (DPR, 2018) (mg/kg) Values (DPR, 2018) (mg/kg)
THC 50 5000
TPH 50 5000
PAH 1 40
BTEX - -
Nickel 35 210
Iron - -
Chromium 100 380
Cadmium 0.8 12
Zinc 140 720
Lead 85 530
Copper 36 190
Barium 200 625
Mercury 0.3 10
Vanadium - -

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
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World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) Limits for Potable Water
REGULATORY STANDARD
PARAMETER
WHO (2011) NIS (2007)
Colour Clear Clear
pH 6.5 – 8.5 6.5 – 8.5
o
Temperature ( C) 25 -30 Ambient
Conductivity (µS/cm) 250 1000
Turbidity (NTU) 5 5
DO (mg/l) - -
TDS (mg/l) 500 500
TSS (mg/l) - -
BOD (mg/l) - -
COD (mg/l) - -
Bicarbonate (mg/l) - -
Phosphate (mg/l) 250 250
Sulphate (mg/l) 250 100
Nitrate (mg/l) 50 50
Ammonium (mg/l) - -
TPH (mg/l) 0.01 0.01
Nickel (mg/l) 0.2 0.2
Chromium (mg/l) 0.05 0.05
Iron (mg/l) 2 0.3
Lead (mg/l) 0.01 0.01
Vanadium (mg/L) 0.01

Sources: WHO Guidelines (2011), and Nigerian Industrial Standards (2007)

 Heavy Metals  Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon: The TPH concentration

 Iron: The concentration of Iron Fe obtained in the obtained in study samples are <0.01mg/l, (below
study samples are 0.08 mg/l, 0.06 mg/l and 0.06mg/l detectable limit) for BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively.
for BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively.
 Magnesium: The concentration of Magnesium Mg VI. DISCUSSIONS
obtained in the study sample are 2.4mg/l, 2.4mg/l and
A. Soil and groundwater pH
2.1mg/l for BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively.
The soil pH was moderately acidic across the study
 Lead: The concentration of Lead Pb obtained in the
samples (soil and ground water). The mean values of pH
study sample are 0.09mg/l, 0.09gm/land 0.08mg/l for
obtained across the study samples were surface study
BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively.
sample 6.55, subsurface study sample 6.60. These values
 Cadmium: The concentration of Cadmium Cd obtained
were expected because according to Alloway and Aryes,
in the study are 0.01mg/l, 0.01mg/kgand 0.001mg/l for
(1997), most soils in the tropics have pH ranging from
BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively.
strong to weakly acidic and in some cases tends towards
 Vanadium: The concentration of Vanadium V obtained
slightly alkaline.
in the study sample are <0.001mg/l for all the borehole
in study stations There was no significant variation (p>0.05) among the
 Zinc: The concentration of Zinc Zn obtained in the 3 boreholes in the Aba and Eleme study areas respectively.
study sample 1 are 0.01mg/l, 0.01mg/l and 0.01mg/l The temperature values recorded in this study was ambient
for BH1, BH2 and BH3 respectively. and consistent with the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS)
 Nickel: The concentration of Nickel Ni recorded in recommended as well as within 25-300C stipulated by the
study sample are 0.01 mg/l, 0.05mg/l and 0.05 mg/l for WHO. The temperature values obtained in this study were
BH1,BH2 and BH3 respectively. similar to those reported by Onwugharaet al., (2013); Obi
 Hydrocarbons and Okocha (2007).
 BTEX: BTEX concentration obtained in the study
sample are below equipment detection limit in all the B. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs)
study sample in BH1, BH2 and BH3. The Total PAH concentrations obtained in this soil study
 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon: The PAH ranges from 0.001 to 6.45mg/kg, this value exceeded the
concentration obtained in study samples are <0.01mg/l, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) target value of
(below detectable limit) for BH1, BH2 and BH3 1.0 mg.kg for a spill site in Nigeria, it is still below 40
respectively. mg/kg intervention value. The value of PAH concentrations
obtained in the ground water samples were below detectable
limit.

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
IX. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
C. Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene(BTEX)
BTEX concentrations recorded in soiland groundwater We like to thank Geoscience and Space Technology
samples were below equipment detection limit of Institute of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, for
0.001mg/kg. This finding can be attributed to their volatility, providing the platform for this study.
which is in agreement with the previous studies conducted
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