Assessment of the levels of copper, zinc and lead in soils and vegetation around solid waste dumpsites in Port Harcourt and environs were carried out in 2005 using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometric technique. Physical parameters such as pH and particle size were also determined. The results show that the mean concentrations of copper in transect and profile soils and vegetation were 1.20 ± 0.83ppm, 2.57 ± 1.87ppm, 1.48 ± 1.61ppm respectively at the East -West road dumpsite and 2.42 ± 1.87ppm, 1.40 ± 0.61ppm, 1.39 ± 0.67ppm respectively at the Kaduna/Afam street dumpsite. The mean concentrations of zinc in soil and vegetations along the transect were 12.83 ± 4.65ppm, 2.68 ± 1.82ppm, 1.33 ± 0.64ppm, 0.80 ± 0.60ppm respectively at the Kaduna/Afam street dumpsite. The mean concentrations of lead in soils and vegetation were 0.26 ± 0.21ppm, 0.28 ± 0.24ppm, 1.48 ± 0.12ppm respectively at the East -West road dumpsite and 0.45 ± 0.37ppm, 0.20 ± 0.08ppm, 0.39 ± 0.17ppm respectively at the Kaduna/Afam street dumpsite. The order of occurrence of the heavy metals in the topsoils of the study areas was Zn > Cu > Pb. The levels of copper and zinc in soils from the waste dumpsite were significantly different (P <0.05) from soil sample elsewhere. The differences in the levels of copper, zinc and lead in soils and vegetations as well as dumpsite and outside dumpsite were not significant (P <0.05). The results indicate that solid wastes contributed to the levels of heavy metals in soils and vegetation. Also the concentrations of the metals in soils do not depend on the age of the waste dump rather, on the source, composition and the topography of the dumpsite. @ JASEM

The levels of soil parameters and selected heavy metals around a solid waste dumpsite receiving untreated wastes from all sources and a control site within Port Harcourt, Nigeria have been examined. Top soil (0-15 cm) and sediment samples were collected and analysed for pH value, particle size, total nitrogen, potassium, available phosphorus, organic matter, effective cation exchange capacity, cadmium, nickel and lead using standard methods. The results showed that the waste dump contributed to the high levels of nutrients and heavy metals. The dry season mean concentrations were: organic matter (5.28 ± 1.34% or 132,422.4 kg ha )1 ), K (1.60 ± 0.52 meq per 100 g), N (0.09 ± 0.06% or 2257.2 kg ha )1 ), Av.P (15.11 ± 7.57 lg g )1 ), Cd (1.34 ± 0.72 lg g )1 ), Ni (4.10 ± 1.63 lg g )1 ) and Pb (38.85 ± 22.18 lg g )1 ) while the wet season mean concentrations were organic matter (5.46 ± 1.39% or 136,936.8 kg ha )1 ), K (2.79 ± 0.81 meq per 100 g), N (0.10 ± 0.05% or 2508 kg ha )1 ), Av.P (9.22 ± 2.69 lg g )1 ), Cd (1.72 ± 1.22 lg g )1 ), Ni (14.95 ± 14.94 lg g )1 ) and Pb (53.50 ± 40.09 lg g )1 ). There was efficient mineralization process in the area. The texture of soil on the main dumpsite was loamy sand, which suggests that the ground water in the area is susceptible to contamination by surface pollutants. The texture of soil at the control site is sandy loam while sediment has the textural class of sand. Decomposed organic materials and agricultural activities influenced the texture of soils. The soils from the main dump and sediment were slightly alkaline while the control soil was moderately acidic. In both seasons, a significant variation exists (P < 0.05) between the metal concentrations in soil at the main dump and those in the sediments with a positive correlation (r ¼ 0.572149) in the wet season and (r ¼ 0.956647) in the dry season. The presence of liming materials and activities of microorgan-isms on the waste dump increased the pH of the soils. The accumulation of nutrients results in the luxuriant growth of plants/crops on the waste dump.

The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by associated microorganisms were studied. Soil and waste water samples were collected from four abattoirs located at Egbu and Ogbe in Imo state, Trans-Amadi and Ahoada in Rivers State. Likewise, surface water and sediment samples from Otamiri River and Oginigba Creek adjoined to Egbu and Trans-Amadi abattoirs, respectively were collected using standard methods. The ability of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and fungi to biodegrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was carried out by growing the isolates in a mineral salt broth amended with PAHs and nutrients (NPK fertilizer and cow dung). Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) left after incubation were determined using Gas chromatographic method. Results showed that soil samples from various abattoirs had high concentrations of PAHs ranging from 0.176 mg/kg at Ahoada abattoir to 2.44 mg/kg at Egbu abattoir. In a 21-day biodegradation test, there was a drop in the initial concentration of PAHs used as control from 0.03 mg/l to 0.024 mg/l. There was loss of low molecular weight PAHs than the high molecular weight components. It is evident from the study that both mixed cultures of bacteria and fungi can biodegrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Results from this study have shown that abattoir wastes have high pollution strength and thus should be treated before being discharged into the environment. Of note is the fact that the microorganisms isolated from the abattoirs are potential agents of remedying environments impacted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

When oil prospection and production started in the Niger Delta five (5) decades ago, the Local communities were not aware that the disposal of excessive Natural Gas through gas Flaring into the atmosphere posed any danger to both the local and global populations in the degree just becoming apparent now. It was in fact, assumed that the atmosphere was an infinite sink for gaseous pollutants, so what Industries and Oil Companies only needed were open pipes as Flare-stacks to discharge and flare away deleterious gaseous materials of their operations into the lower atmosphere. But in a study instituted by the Rivers State Government [under PPD's supervision] with the Institute of Pollution Studies (IPS), University of Science and Technology Port-Harcourt, it was our discovery that the capacity of the lower atmosphere to absorb gaseous pollutants is in fact limited. The finite capacity of the troposphere can only be dynamically balanced with its self-purification capacity. In order to maintain its integrity, the atmosphere initiates a "Self-purification process" from time to time to shed the atmospheric loads of pollutants as acid rains and other precipitations on the terrestrial environment below, and as OZONE-Layer hole-creation/hole depletion above (or in the stratosphere). The consequences of these adjustment processes are the potently dangerous phenomena of Ozone layer depletion. Greenhouse Effect and Global Warning which may lead to Climate Change, rising sea levels that constitute a threat to the coastal communities worldwide. The primary reason for preparing this paper for the 1st SPE-AFRICA HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION in Nairobi Kenya, was to share learning and experience from the West African Sub-region(Niger Delta) with the rest of the World, and in particular, the New Oil and Gas frontiers of EAST AFRICA. By so doing, we would be avoiding those practices that were found to be inimical to, and constituted flash-points of conflicts in the Oil producing areas and thereby foster peace, progress and sustainable development of the Oil Industry and the Country concerned. It is therefore the object of this paper to explore and show case enough empirical facts and cognate scientific experience the way gas flaring equipment should be designed to minimize the emission of GHGs from the operation of the Oil fields of Africa and the World. When viewed against the highlighted overwhelming global environmental hazards, the idea of eliminating open-pipe stacks becomes an easy imperative for the sustainable development of the Oil Industry in the face of the Kyoto Protocols. The idea, though drastic, coincides strictly with the Theme of the Conference and the global perspectives on Green house Gas reduction in which Oil Industry Gas Flaring is a major contributor Locally, the experiences and knowledge gained through the above Pioneering Study by the Petroleum Pollution Department (PPD) and other Non-governmental Agencies(NDES) had led to the recent Gas-Flare-Out Project of the Oil Companies in Nigeria.

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