Journal of
Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology

  • Abbreviation: J. Environ. Chem. Ecotoxicol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-226X
  • DOI: 10.5897/JECE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 197

Full Length Research Paper

Profiling the surface water around Odeama Community of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria

Duke Okoro
  • Duke Okoro
  • Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Lily Chovwe Diejomaoh
  • Lily Chovwe Diejomaoh
  • Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 17 December 2021
  •  Accepted: 08 March 2022
  •  Published: 31 May 2022

Abstract

Surface water quality in Niger Delta has been impaired over the years as a result of oil exploration and exploitation carried out in the region. This study investigates the anthropogenic influence on the water quality of Odeama creek. Water samples were collected during the wet and dry season from 20 sampling points and four control points and analyzed following standard methods and procedures. No statistical difference (p> 0.005) at 95% confidence interval was observed between sampling points except for nitrate values in the dry season. Some of the results observed in this study are: pH range of 7.1 - 8.0 and 7.12 - 8.3; dissolved oxygen, 4.8 - 5.4 and 2.12 - 3.69 mg/L; chemical oxygen demand, 4.8 - 5.4L and 2.12 - 3.69 mg/L; polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, 0.01 - 0.17 and 0.05 - 1.06 mg/L for wet and dry season, respectively. Values observed from dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals except copper indicated human influence on the water quality that may be due to domestic and industrial waste, illegal bunkering activities, and corrosion of abandoned vessels in the water-way. Regular monitoring of the physicochemical parameters and standard measures should be put in place to evaluate and control anthropogenic influence on the water quality.

Key words: Oil exploration, anthropogenic activities, Odeama, water quality.