Impact Assessment and Bioremediation of oil Contaminated Soil: A Case Study of Koko and Ajoki Communities, Niger Delta Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The research was conducted in two notable oil producing communities in Niger Delta, South -South geopolitical zones of Nigeria with aim of assessing the impact and recommending a remediation technique for reclaiming the land for agricultural industrial, and residential purposes. The communities are; Ajoki Community in IkpobaOkha Local Government Area of Edo State and Koko Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State; both communities are located on E 5 2 05 0 ′ ′ and N 5 0 6 0 ′ ′ . Eleven (11) soil samples were collected in and around the oil producing communities, five from each community and one from Ugbowo Community in Benin City as a control site. The soils were first tested to ascertain the level of contamination before the experimental procedure began. The physiochemical parameters were determined using standard chemical methods of soil determination while remediation process was descriptive using denitrifying bacteria for 27 days at 7 days intervals. The results obtained were subjected to statistical treatment using micro soft excel format, the results were presented in tables and in graphs for easy understanding and explanation. The geochemical results show that the pollution was mild while the remediation method adopted yielded a positive result which, however, reduced the soil organic content, total nitrogen, nitrate and phosphorus. © JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v18i1.8 Introduction:Since the commercial exploration of petroleum (hydrocarbon) started in Nigeria in 1958 in Oloibiri in the present day Bayelsa State in South -South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the so-called "blackgold" has continuously grown to be the mainstay of the country's economy. Exploration of hydrocarbon which has its advantage as the mainstay of the country's economy has also been identified as one of the major environmental pollutants in the Niger -Delta region of the country, Odu (1972), Imasuen and Omorogieva (2013), Browning (1969), Raymond and Okieimen (2000), Ezemonye (2013). This is as a result of oil spillage and gas flaring; the resulting effects of these activities lead to environmental degradation, soil depletion, water contamination and atmospheric pollution which have adversely affected the inhabitants and the communities where such activities are carried out. Civil unrest against environmental degradation has also been witnessed in the Niger -Delta, Njoku et. al., (2009).The effects of oil contamination on the environment, especially on soil quality has been one of the major concerns in Nigeria and regulatory bodies universally. Soil quality determines its actual and potential use. For example, the quality of soil intended for agricultural use depends on the concentration of heavy metals in it, Ukpebor and Unuigbe (2003); Osibanjo et. al., (1983) reported that Nigerian crude oil has a high concentration of iron, copper, zinc, lead and mercury Harrison (1983) indicated that heavy metals can become a threat to vegetation and animals and ultimately affects the quality of human lif...

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“…However, the low silt and clay content of the soil is suitable for microbial activity that drives bioremediation (Vidali, 2001). The acidic nature of the soil in Koko area due to petroleum hydrocarbon contamination corroborates report by Imasuen et al (2014). The leaching of the basic cations due to heavy annual rainfall in the area (Imasuen et al, 2014) and production of organic acid intermediates from microbial action on the oil contributed to the acidic pH (Nwachukwu and Ugoji, 1995;Barua et al, 2011).…”

Optimization of Bioremediation Enhancement Factors in an Aged Crude Oil Polluted Soil.

“…However, the low silt and clay content of the soil is suitable for microbial activity that drives bioremediation (Vidali, 2001). The acidic nature of the soil in Koko area due to petroleum hydrocarbon contamination corroborates report by Imasuen et al (2014). The leaching of the basic cations due to heavy annual rainfall in the area (Imasuen et al, 2014) and production of organic acid intermediates from microbial action on the oil contributed to the acidic pH (Nwachukwu and Ugoji, 1995; Barua et al, 2011).…”

Culture-dependent Microbiological, and Enzyme Properties of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Agricultural Soil in the Niger Delta

“…Similar observations on various levels of basic cations in petroleum hydrocarbon impacted soil have been reported by other workers. Petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil in Ajoki community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State-Nigeria at pH 5.69 had a total of 0.768, 0.461, 0.115 and 0.23meq/100grams of soil of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + and Na + respectively [30]. In Ikot-Ekpene polluted Wetland, an effective cation Exchangeable cation within the range of 5.0-8.13cmol/kg was reported [11].…”