Assessment of water quality parameters from Swamps around Kokori- Erhoike Petroleum Flow Station in Delta State, Nigeria

This study assessed the water quality from swamp around Kokori-Erhoike petroleum flow station of Delta State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from Eku River (Site A, reference site), Erhoike swamp (Site B) and a natural fish pond located within Erhoike environment (Site C). Physico-chemical parameters and some selected heavy metals (Lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron and mercury) including total petroleum hydrocarbon were analysed. Results indicated that pH, electrical conductivity, total solids, biological oxygen demand, total hardness, phosphate and calcium were not comparable (p<0.05) in water samples from the three sites. Dissolved oxygen was significantly lower (p<0.05) in Sites B and C as compared with Site A while Site B recorded the highest biological oxygen demand concentration. Oil and grease was absent in Site A but comparable in Site B and C. Heavy metal results showed that all sites have comparable (p>0.05) heavy metal content. Total petroleum hydrocarbon was significantly elevated (p<0.05) in site B (Erhoike swamp) as compared with site A and C. Overall, the results obtained for the control Site (Eku River) indicated that the water is relatively not polluted. However, the presence of total petroleum hydrocarbon and oil and grease in water sample from Erhoike swamp confirm the over 30years of crude oil exploration in the area and the observed elevated levels of electrical conductivity, total solids, calcium, magnesium, phosphates and moderately low dissolved oxygen suggest that Erhoike fish pond (Site C) is polluted with organic or inorganic contaminants. In conclusion, pollutants present in Site B and C may affect aquatic lives especially fish. Therefore it is recommended that adequate measures should be put in place to reduce the introduction of petroleum products into the environment.

Author(s): Arise R. O., Osioma E. and Akanji M. A.

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