Ecological effects of oil spill on pelagic and bottom dwelling organisms in the riverine areas of Odidi and Egwa in Warri, Delta State

Abstract

The ecological effects of oil spill on environmental media and organisms (pelagic, bottom dwelling organism) in the riverine areas of Odidi and Egwa in the Niger Delta ecological zone of Delta State was investigated approximately six months after the spill. The content of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, iron and chromium) in the water, sediment, fish (Clarias gariepinus) and snail (Pachymelania byronensis) was evaluated to determine the effect oil spill had on the environmental matrix and the organisms. The mean concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in the sample matrix (water, sediment) and organisms (fish and snail) from Odidi and Egwa Rivers was above the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) limits of 50 mg/L and 5000 mg/kg. The control level of TPH in the media and organisms was less than 5 mg/kg. The mean water concentrations of iron and chromium were above their respective DPR limits of 1.00 and 0.03 mg/L. The concentrations recorded for iron in Odidi and Egwa waters was 2.96 ± 0.01 mg/L and 2.95 ± 0.08 mg/L while chromium was 0.33 ± 0.01 mg/L and 0.34 ± 0.01 mg/L respectively. Similarly, the mean concentrations of heavy metals in the water, sediment, cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) and snail (Pahymelania byronensis) were all significantly different from the control station (P<0.05). In other to prevent the adverse effects on environmental components and organisms resulting from oil spill, immediate clean-up of the environment and remediation measures should be carried out to prevent the bioaccumulative effects that could result from long term exposure to crude oil spill / pollution. This is with the view of safe guarding environmental media, aquatic fauna and subsequently man, who constantly feed on these organisms.

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Contamination of the Surface Water and Sediments of Orashi River, Engenni, Ahoada West, Rivers State, Nigeria

“…The mean concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons recorded in this work were below or lower than that obtained in the work of Ogeleka, et al [35], in Egwa (215700±77mg/Kg) and Odidi (215730±81mg/Kg). The work of Etchie, et al [60], the result obtained for total petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment and soil ranged between 600 to 2300mg/Kg, and in Adewuyi, et al [39], the mean concentration level of total petroleum hydrocarbon recorded was 1602.4±115.3mg/Kg in the Ubeji River, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, were all above that recorded in this study.…”

“…The recorded mean concentration of contamination of total petroleum hydrocarbons in this work was found to be lower than that recorded by Ogeleka, et al [35] in the Odidi and Egwa riverine areas of Warri Delta State which was 97592±46 and 91590±51mg/L. The present result obtained is also lower than that reported by Alinnor and Nwachukwu [50], the concentration obtained ranged within 23.6±4.3mg/L, while investigating the level of total petroleum hydrocarbons.…”

“…As a result of the toxic nature of crude oil and its products, there is widespread destruction of farmland in addition to other socio-economic consequences to the host communities of the trans national oil companies. When there is oil spill at sea due to illegal oil bunkering activities, pipeline explosion, the effect is as dangerous and drastic as on the land, posing a threat to the sea organisms [33][34][35]. Aquatic organisms which survive through oxygen metabolism may die due to oil film blocking the oxygen being dissolved in the water.…”

Oil spills deposits effect on soil physicochemical properties in Port Harcourt metropolis: Implication for agricultural planning

“…Thus, in determining the physicochemical properties of the soils, soil pH, Nitrate, Potassium, and Phosphate parameters were tested (See Devatha et al, (2019). The chosen metals result from their susceptibility to oil spill impacts (Doris et al, 2016).…”