Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria

Useh Mercy Uwem; Useh Uwem Jonah; Dauda Mary Sunday

doi:doi:10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

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Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria

Useh Mercy Uwem, Useh Uwem Jonah, Dauda Mary Sunday

Published in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Volume 2, Issue 6)

Received: 8 September 2017 Accepted: 8 October 2017 Published: 11 November 2017

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Abstract

Co-contamination by petrochemicals and heavy metals emanating from refinery operations was investigated from sludge, soil and water samples immediately around WRPC refinery, Delta State, Nigeria. Collection and assessment of environmental samples from 5 different points across the refinery and groundwater for which the pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, Total hardness, Alkalinity, DO, BOD, Cl^ˉ, PO₄^3ˉ and bacteriological analysis were measured. The total petroleum hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were 755.291 and 22.746 mg L^-1 in the water samples, 8756.148 and 311.569 mg kg^-1 for the soil samples, 65346.8 and 4190.598 mg kg^-1 for the sludge samples via GC-MS analysis. The effects of the release of the industrial effluents caused the increase in pH, 5.2-5.3 across the studied samples. Conductivity measurements for the sludge, soil and water samples gave readings of 0.27, 0.25 and 0.48 µs cm^-1 respectively. The presence and distribution of different heavy metals varied whereby the presence of cadmium (0.139 mg/l), cobalt (0.34 mg/l) and nickel (0.606 mg/l) in the water samples were above the WHO permissible limits. The highest concentrations of iron (108.77 mg/kg) and zinc (11.072 mg/kg) where observed in the soil samples while chromium (24.25 mg/kg), lead (3.902 mg/kg), mercury (0.21 mg/kg), arsenic (0.417 mg/kg), copper (2.015 mg/kg) and manganese (82.695 mg/kg) where highest in the sludge samples. Total bacterial enumeration revealed a count of 7.29 x 10³ (cfu/g), 1.84 x 10³ (cfu/g) and 1.32 x 10³ (cfu/ml) in the soil, sludge and water samples respectively. The presence and concentrations of these mixed pollutants via the activities of the refinery resulted in change of known physicochemical properties which in turn affects the vegetative and microbial flora within the area.

Published in	Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
Page(s)	73-79
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Heavy Metals, Physicochemical Properties

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Useh Mercy Uwem, Useh Uwem Jonah, Dauda Mary Sunday. (2017). Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2(6), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

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ACS Style

Useh Mercy Uwem; Useh Uwem Jonah; Dauda Mary Sunday. Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2017, 2(6), 73-79. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

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AMA Style

Useh Mercy Uwem, Useh Uwem Jonah, Dauda Mary Sunday. Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria. Biochem Mol Biol. 2017;2(6):73-79. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

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@article{10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12,
  author = {Useh Mercy Uwem and Useh Uwem Jonah and Dauda Mary Sunday},
  title = {Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria},
  journal = {Biochemistry and Molecular Biology},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {73-79},
  doi = {10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.bmb.20170206.12},
  abstract = {Co-contamination by petrochemicals and heavy metals emanating from refinery operations was investigated from sludge, soil and water samples immediately around WRPC refinery, Delta State, Nigeria. Collection and assessment of environmental samples from 5 different points across the refinery and groundwater for which the pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, Total hardness, Alkalinity, DO, BOD, Clˉ, PO43ˉ and bacteriological analysis were measured. The total petroleum hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were 755.291 and 22.746 mg L-1 in the water samples, 8756.148 and 311.569 mg kg-1 for the soil samples, 65346.8 and 4190.598 mg kg-1 for the sludge samples via GC-MS analysis. The effects of the release of the industrial effluents caused the increase in pH, 5.2-5.3 across the studied samples. Conductivity measurements for the sludge, soil and water samples gave readings of 0.27, 0.25 and 0.48 µs cm-1 respectively. The presence and distribution of different heavy metals varied whereby the presence of cadmium (0.139 mg/l), cobalt (0.34 mg/l) and nickel (0.606 mg/l) in the water samples were above the WHO permissible limits. The highest concentrations of iron (108.77 mg/kg) and zinc (11.072 mg/kg) where observed in the soil samples while chromium (24.25 mg/kg), lead (3.902 mg/kg), mercury (0.21 mg/kg), arsenic (0.417 mg/kg), copper (2.015 mg/kg) and manganese (82.695 mg/kg) where highest in the sludge samples. Total bacterial enumeration revealed a count of 7.29 x 103 (cfu/g), 1.84 x 103 (cfu/g) and 1.32 x 103 (cfu/ml) in the soil, sludge and water samples respectively. The presence and concentrations of these mixed pollutants via the activities of the refinery resulted in change of known physicochemical properties which in turn affects the vegetative and microbial flora within the area.},
 year = {2017}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria
AU  - Useh Mercy Uwem
AU  - Useh Uwem Jonah
AU  - Dauda Mary Sunday
Y1  - 2017/11/11
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
T2  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JF  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JO  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SP  - 73
EP  - 79
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5048
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
AB  - Co-contamination by petrochemicals and heavy metals emanating from refinery operations was investigated from sludge, soil and water samples immediately around WRPC refinery, Delta State, Nigeria. Collection and assessment of environmental samples from 5 different points across the refinery and groundwater for which the pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, Total hardness, Alkalinity, DO, BOD, Clˉ, PO43ˉ and bacteriological analysis were measured. The total petroleum hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were 755.291 and 22.746 mg L-1 in the water samples, 8756.148 and 311.569 mg kg-1 for the soil samples, 65346.8 and 4190.598 mg kg-1 for the sludge samples via GC-MS analysis. The effects of the release of the industrial effluents caused the increase in pH, 5.2-5.3 across the studied samples. Conductivity measurements for the sludge, soil and water samples gave readings of 0.27, 0.25 and 0.48 µs cm-1 respectively. The presence and distribution of different heavy metals varied whereby the presence of cadmium (0.139 mg/l), cobalt (0.34 mg/l) and nickel (0.606 mg/l) in the water samples were above the WHO permissible limits. The highest concentrations of iron (108.77 mg/kg) and zinc (11.072 mg/kg) where observed in the soil samples while chromium (24.25 mg/kg), lead (3.902 mg/kg), mercury (0.21 mg/kg), arsenic (0.417 mg/kg), copper (2.015 mg/kg) and manganese (82.695 mg/kg) where highest in the sludge samples. Total bacterial enumeration revealed a count of 7.29 x 103 (cfu/g), 1.84 x 103 (cfu/g) and 1.32 x 103 (cfu/ml) in the soil, sludge and water samples respectively. The presence and concentrations of these mixed pollutants via the activities of the refinery resulted in change of known physicochemical properties which in turn affects the vegetative and microbial flora within the area.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Useh Mercy Uwem

Chemistry Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja, Nigeria; Chemistry Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja, Nigeria
Useh Uwem Jonah

Department of Pollution Control, Ecological Fund Office, Federal Secretariat Phase 2, Abuja, Nigeria
Dauda Mary Sunday

Department of Chemistry, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

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APA Style

Useh Mercy Uwem, Useh Uwem Jonah, Dauda Mary Sunday. (2017). Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2(6), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

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ACS Style

Useh Mercy Uwem; Useh Uwem Jonah; Dauda Mary Sunday. Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2017, 2(6), 73-79. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

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AMA Style

Useh Mercy Uwem, Useh Uwem Jonah, Dauda Mary Sunday. Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria. Biochem Mol Biol. 2017;2(6):73-79. doi: 10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12,
  author = {Useh Mercy Uwem and Useh Uwem Jonah and Dauda Mary Sunday},
  title = {Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria},
  journal = {Biochemistry and Molecular Biology},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {73-79},
  doi = {10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.bmb.20170206.12},
  abstract = {Co-contamination by petrochemicals and heavy metals emanating from refinery operations was investigated from sludge, soil and water samples immediately around WRPC refinery, Delta State, Nigeria. Collection and assessment of environmental samples from 5 different points across the refinery and groundwater for which the pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, Total hardness, Alkalinity, DO, BOD, Clˉ, PO43ˉ and bacteriological analysis were measured. The total petroleum hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were 755.291 and 22.746 mg L-1 in the water samples, 8756.148 and 311.569 mg kg-1 for the soil samples, 65346.8 and 4190.598 mg kg-1 for the sludge samples via GC-MS analysis. The effects of the release of the industrial effluents caused the increase in pH, 5.2-5.3 across the studied samples. Conductivity measurements for the sludge, soil and water samples gave readings of 0.27, 0.25 and 0.48 µs cm-1 respectively. The presence and distribution of different heavy metals varied whereby the presence of cadmium (0.139 mg/l), cobalt (0.34 mg/l) and nickel (0.606 mg/l) in the water samples were above the WHO permissible limits. The highest concentrations of iron (108.77 mg/kg) and zinc (11.072 mg/kg) where observed in the soil samples while chromium (24.25 mg/kg), lead (3.902 mg/kg), mercury (0.21 mg/kg), arsenic (0.417 mg/kg), copper (2.015 mg/kg) and manganese (82.695 mg/kg) where highest in the sludge samples. Total bacterial enumeration revealed a count of 7.29 x 103 (cfu/g), 1.84 x 103 (cfu/g) and 1.32 x 103 (cfu/ml) in the soil, sludge and water samples respectively. The presence and concentrations of these mixed pollutants via the activities of the refinery resulted in change of known physicochemical properties which in turn affects the vegetative and microbial flora within the area.},
 year = {2017}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Environmental Samples around an Indigenous Refinery in Nigeria
AU  - Useh Mercy Uwem
AU  - Useh Uwem Jonah
AU  - Dauda Mary Sunday
Y1  - 2017/11/11
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
T2  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JF  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
JO  - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SP  - 73
EP  - 79
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5048
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bmb.20170206.12
AB  - Co-contamination by petrochemicals and heavy metals emanating from refinery operations was investigated from sludge, soil and water samples immediately around WRPC refinery, Delta State, Nigeria. Collection and assessment of environmental samples from 5 different points across the refinery and groundwater for which the pH, Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, Total hardness, Alkalinity, DO, BOD, Clˉ, PO43ˉ and bacteriological analysis were measured. The total petroleum hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were 755.291 and 22.746 mg L-1 in the water samples, 8756.148 and 311.569 mg kg-1 for the soil samples, 65346.8 and 4190.598 mg kg-1 for the sludge samples via GC-MS analysis. The effects of the release of the industrial effluents caused the increase in pH, 5.2-5.3 across the studied samples. Conductivity measurements for the sludge, soil and water samples gave readings of 0.27, 0.25 and 0.48 µs cm-1 respectively. The presence and distribution of different heavy metals varied whereby the presence of cadmium (0.139 mg/l), cobalt (0.34 mg/l) and nickel (0.606 mg/l) in the water samples were above the WHO permissible limits. The highest concentrations of iron (108.77 mg/kg) and zinc (11.072 mg/kg) where observed in the soil samples while chromium (24.25 mg/kg), lead (3.902 mg/kg), mercury (0.21 mg/kg), arsenic (0.417 mg/kg), copper (2.015 mg/kg) and manganese (82.695 mg/kg) where highest in the sludge samples. Total bacterial enumeration revealed a count of 7.29 x 103 (cfu/g), 1.84 x 103 (cfu/g) and 1.32 x 103 (cfu/ml) in the soil, sludge and water samples respectively. The presence and concentrations of these mixed pollutants via the activities of the refinery resulted in change of known physicochemical properties which in turn affects the vegetative and microbial flora within the area.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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