Spatial variation in acid and some heavy metal composition of rainwater harvesting in the oil-producing region of Nigeria

Abstract

The study adopted the experimental research design and field survey of the oil-producing region of Nigeria for the past 10 years. A total of 100 sterilized rain gauges were randomly distributed on the basis of 50 each to the eastern and western division of the oil company operating in the region. The rainwater samples harvested through this process were transferred into sterilized plastic containers and kept in coolers and taken immediately to the laboratory for analysis soon after every rain event. The rainwater samples were analysed in the laboratory with the most appropriate techniques. The physicochemical characteristics of rainwater harvested were subjected to paired t test and 3-year moving average statistical analysis. The following are the results: There is widespread acid rain in the region, this is evident from pH values that span 4.98-5.15 and 5.06 mean values. The result also revealed that acid rain (pH) varied significantly (P [ 0.05), and it decreases with increasing distance from gas flare sites throughout the period of study. Other physicochemical characteristics of rainwater resources conform to safe limit with the exception of turbidity, TSS, Pb and NO 3, which is also significant at P [ 0.05 with increasing distance from the gas flare sites, as such they decreases with increasing distance. This certainly has serious environmental effects on the human and other species, soil, water and vegetation resources and calls for the extinction of gas flaring, in this region. Sources of water that are acidified should be periodically limed to reduce the acid concentration in such water.

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Rainwater Chemistry in Ile-Ife and Its Environ, Osun State, Nigeria

“…Chemical species and their concentration in rainwater are results of the various activities and conditions the atmosphere is subjected to. This is mostly as a result of man-made activities and land use activities (local source) in the area (Efe 2010;Oden 1976). …”

Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metals Pollution in Soil and Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera L. Leaves at Basra Governorate /Iraq Written by Kearallah M.A. Al-Jabary, Jabbar D. Neama, Mohammed H.

“…Our results showed that the concentrations of Pb and Cd were above the permissible limits at all investigated sites during both seasons. Regarding to sites, the high level of Pb was found at QR site during both seasons, this could be due to conventional oil production activities which taking place at this site and emission of heavy metals, particularly Pb come from combustion of natural gas used in crude oil separators, venting and flaring operations (Efe, 2010), in addition to fossil fuel burning of equipment's and automobiles, while the highest level of Cd was found at NS site, which at this site exist power generation station (Najibiya Station), in which the process and production of power require a substantial amount of energy supplied by fossil fuel burning, as well as traffic activities in the station (Carreras and Pignata, 2002;Banatet et al, 2005). The Cr level during the rainy season was exceeded permissible limits only at NS and QR sites, during the dry season at NS, QR, AK and HW.…”

Addressing Environmental Health Problems in Ogoniland through Implementation of United Nations Environment Program Recommendations: Environmental Management Strategies

“…These communities depend on such water resources for their only source of drinking water [6]. Studies indicate that acid rain is widely distributed in the Niger Delta region [52][53][54][55]. On average, a pH value of 5.06 from a range of 4.98-5.15 [56] is usually obtained.…”