Impacts of Gas Explosion on Water and Soil Properties in Ikot Asute, Oruk Anam L.G.A., Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Impacts of gas explosion on water qualities and soil properties in Ikot-Asute, Oruk Anam L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State were studied. The aim was to establish baseline information on the impacts of gas explosion on water and soil properties. Soil samples were collected from three points and bulked to form composite sample at depth of 0-15 and 15-30 cm using soil auger within the vicinity of explosion and along the pipeline corridor. Also, soil samples were collected 300m away from the gas explosion vicinity to serve as control. A total of 7 composite soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Undisturbed soil samples were equally collected using core ring for the determination of permeability and bulk density. Rain and stream water were collected within the vicinity of explosion. The samples were properly bagged, labelled and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The study revealed that, in comparison with the control, gas explosion increased sand fraction, bulk density and reduced clay fraction, permeability and total porosity. Gas explosion reduced soil pH, soil organic matter, total N, available P, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, Na and K), cation exchange capacity and raised electrical conductivity and exchangeable acidity. Gas explosion also increased the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni in the soil. Water qualities affected by gas explosion were temperature, pH, turbidity, chloride, Cd, Ni and Cr. These parameters were raised by gas explosion in the area. Therefore, gas explosion is responsible for the fast decline in soil and water qualities in the vicinity.