Characteristic Level of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon in Soil and Groundwater of Oil Impacted Area in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

Abstract

Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) is of environmental interest because they are toxic to human system and animals. Some of the TPH compounds are carcinogenic and poses health hazards. The communities in Niger Delta region of Nigeria were crude oil is being exploited are predominantly agricultural farmers and fishermen. The harvested crops and fishes obtained from these communities are usually contaminated with TPH. In view of health implication of crops and fishes contaminated with TPH  this study was carried out to ascertain the level of total petroleum hydrocarbon in soil and  groundwater of crude oil impacted area of five communities in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The analysis were carried out with Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) instrument. The result of the analysis indicates that soil samples obtained from Station I at various depths 0 - 0.5, 0.5 – 1.00 and 2.0 – 3.00 were contaminated with mean TPH concentrations 5199.52, 2341.00 and 2066.83 mg/kg, respectively. Station III recorded mean TPH concentrations 1678.25, 1366.00 and 1242.33 mg/kg at depths 1.00 – 2.00, 2.00 – 3.00 and 3.00 – 4.00, respectively. The result of the analysis indicates mean TPH 1341.00 mg/kg at topsoil of Station V. This study shows that water samples obtained from all the stations were contaminated with TPH. At depth 0 – 0.5m the mean TPH concentrations at Stations I, II, III, IV and V of water sample were 8186.67, 12110.00, 1351.67, 4137.00 and 9020.67 µg/L, respectively.

Key words: Soil and water sample contamination, total petroleum hydrocarbon, associated health hazards.