Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Rainwater in a Nigerian Rural Community Experiencing Gas Flaring.

Abstract

This study determined the rainwater quality of Odagwa, a rural community hosting a crude oil flow station. Rainwater samples were collected at various distances from the gas flare point in ambient air. Samples were tested for Temperature, Turbidity, Colour, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Total Hardness (TH), Sulphate, Nitrate, Chloride, Aluminium, Iron, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Nickel and Manganese using standard methods. Tables, Bar charts and Correlation were used to present and analyze the data. Results  showed the following range of values: Temperature (30^oC-34^oC), Colour (12 – 18TCU) Turbidity (45-64 NTU), EC (16-20.5µS/cm), TDS (16-20mg/L), pH (5.1 – 6.5), T S S (42 – 65mg/ L), Sodium (100-140mg/ L), Mg (0.1-0.18mg/ L), TH (50mg/ L) Sulphate (20-50mg/ L ), Nitrate (5-6mg/ L), Chloride (5.5-5.7mg/ L), Mn (0.05 – 0.3 mg/ L), Pb (0.04 – 0.08mg/ L), Cd (0.01– 0.24mg/ L) and Ni (0.001 – 0.05mg/ L) within 500m- 5000m distance from gas flare point. Generally results indicated that the rainwater and air quality of Odagwa are negatively impacted by gas flaring within the community. It was recommended that the flaring of associated gas in the community take into consideration necessary environmental mitigation and rainwater treated adequately before utilization.

Keywords: Rainwater, Gas Flaring, Physico-Chemical, Quality.