Profiling the surface water around Odeama Community of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria

Abstract

Surface water quality in Niger Delta has been impaired over the years as a result of oil exploration and exploitation carried out in the region. This study investigates the anthropogenic influence on the water quality of Odeama creek. Water samples were collected during the wet and dry season from 20 sampling points and four control points and analyzed following standard methods and procedures. No statistical difference (p> 0.005) at 95% confidence interval was observed between sampling points except for nitrate values in the dry season. Some of the results observed in this study are: pH range of 7.1 -8.0 and 7.12 -8.3; dissolved oxygen, 4.8 -5.4 and 2.12 -3.69 mg/L; chemical oxygen demand, 4.8 -5.4L and 2.12 -3.69 mg/L; polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, 0.01 -0.17 and 0.05 -1.06 mg/L for wet and dry season, respectively. Values observed from dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals except copper indicated human influence on the water quality that may be due to domestic and industrial waste, illegal bunkering activities, and corrosion of abandoned vessels in the water-way. Regular monitoring of the physicochemical parameters and standard measures should be put in place to evaluate and control anthropogenic influence on the water quality.

Heavy Metals Pollution and Other Physicochemical Parameters in the Crude Oil-Impacted Santa Barbara River and Environs, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

“…The concentrations of TDS in water bodies are significantly influenced by the geological materials of the water [34]. The TDS reported in the crude oil-impacted water samples from Santa-Barbara River (mean value = 296.96 ± 5.02 mg/l) were found to be within the limits of ≤ 500 mg/l and ≤ 2000 mg/l recommended by the World Health Organization [15] and Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria [21], as well as below the limits of TDS (500 -48000 mg/l) often measured in brackish water [36]. The TDS values reported in water samples collected from hand-dug wells (mean value = 263.25 ± 4.13 mg/l) in communities surrounding the Santa Barbara River were also within the WHO and FEPA limits.…”

Seasonal and Tidal variations of DO, BOD, and Nutrients in Major Rivers within Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria

“…Reports have also shown that, high nutrients content in aquatic ecosystem can reduce the level of oxygen available for aquatic organisms [8.9]. The oil activities in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria have increased the levels of organic, inorganic and microbial contaminants in surface water bodies in the area [10,11]. Consequently, it has resulted in strange and common ailments among the inhabitants due to exposure to these toxic substances over time [12,13,14].…”