The effects of petroleum wastes in water and local environment in Melut and Maban Counties - Upper Nile State- South Sudan

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of petroleum waste in wastewater and local environment in Melut and Maban Counties in South Sudan. Population of the study is 30,000 people. 265 respondents were selected randomly as a sample of the study. Variables were, wastewater status of citizen, health and effects on the local environment. Data were collected through survey, involving (primary data) which were collected by using questionnaire and (laboratory data) which were collected from waste water in three locations. (SPSS) was used for primary data analysis by using descriptive statistics, while for the laboratory data, Atomic absorption Spectroscopy (AAS700) was used for detecting Hg, As, Pb, Fe and Mn elements levels in wastewater samples. Findings of the primary data showed 94.1% of residents’ respondents noticed the decrease of rains in the study area and 65.9% of them noticed the decrease of temperature. 86.2% of public health employees respondents reported defections of newly born children, 93.8% of them reported infant’s mortality. 90.8% of them reported infertility infections. 75.4% of them reported eyes and skin allergy infections and 66.2% of them reported teeth decay and hair falling infections. 67.7% of the national resource’s employees’ respondents noticed animals drink the wastewater and 83.1% of them reported the death of birds around the petroleum pits. while the laboratory data indicates presence of (Hg, As and Pb) in higher levels compared to the normal international allowed one in wastewater, and the level of (Fe and Mn) were lower. Recommendations are includes avoiding using wastewater near the petroleum wells, treatment of the wastewater for human and animals using and Petroleum companies must abide to the rules of the petroleum work and they have to contribute in the development of local community and awareness.