Physicochemical properties, total hydrocarbon content, and trace metals of water and sediments from major River Estuaries within the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Water and sediment samples from Cross River, Imo River, and Qua Iboe River Estuaries were collected and treated using standard analytical procedures. The samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, total hydrocarbon content (THC), and trace metals. Results obtained revealed that, the mean levels of total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, colour, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), THC, cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in water were higher than their acceptable limits in Nigeria. Whereas, the mean levels water pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, and copper (Cu) were within their acceptable limits. The results obtained also revealed that, the mean levels of nitrate, THC, and Fe in sediments were higher than their recommended limits. While the levels of pH, EC, sulphate, phosphate, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sediments were within their recommended limits. This study indicated that the anthropogenic activities by oil and oil-related companies within the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria may have contributed significantly to the high level of toxic substances in the water channels within the zone. The results obtained revealed that, the direct or indirect exposure to untreated water from the studied water channels may result in serious health challenges. Hence, the environment should be closely monitored to forestall a devastating situation in the region.

Bioremediasi Tanah Terkontaminasi Hidrokarbon Menggunakan Teknik Bioaugmentasi

Among various bioremediation methods, bioaugmentation is the one which frequently used. In this study, bioaugmentation was conducted by utilising Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, and Brevibacterium flavum. Many studies on and implementations of this method have been conducted. However, this method still needed to be studied especially with reference to its implementations to small automotive workshops, which their number was increasing, as the sources of the soil contamination. The objective of this study was to identify the most effective bacteria in removing total hydrocarbon content (TPH) from contaminated soils and to understanding several characteristics of the method. Laboratory research was set up and the experimental design was complete randomised design (CRD) with three replications. Statistical test of Anova with α 5% was carried out to evaluate the results of the study. The treatments of this study were three species of bacteria which were inoculated separately into the contaminated soils. The parameters were TPH, pH and the density of bacteria consortiums. The highest effective removal of TPH was showed by P. aeruginosa, 64,1% (δ+2,61%), followed by B. flavum and B cereus. This treatment had pH dropped two points and the density of bacteria consortium increased 6-10 times. The main limitation of this study was the number of parameters which was a few resulting difficulties in understanding the hydrocarbon degradation processes. The results of this study may give significant contributions to managers of small automotive workshops in cities which currently are not managed their spills properly.

Stimulating the Rate of Phytoremediation of Chromolaena odorata in Crude Oil Contaminated Soil Using Inorganic Urea

Investigation on the use of urea in stimulating the phytoremediation of Chromolaena odorata in a crude oil contaminated soil was carried out at a crude oil spilled site at Botem-Tai, Ogoni, Nigeria. Three phytoremediation treatments labeled A – C in addition to the control (D) were used. The treatments were: A (Chromolaena odorata only), B (Chromolaena odorata + 20 g/m2 urea), C (Chromolaena odorata + 40 g/m2 urea), D (polluted soil without phytoremediation) arranged using Latin Square Design (LSD). Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and Total hydrocarbon content (THC) in soil and plant samples from the different treatment plots in addition to other soil nutrients were analyzed. The percentage reduction in TPH and THC in soil were as follows: Treatment B, {TPH (92.08%) and THC (95.37%)} > treatment A {TPH (88.95%) and THC (93.37%)}> C {TPH (78.78%) and THC (83.29%)} > Control {TPH (14.76%) and THC (32.90%)}. Treatment C had the highest TPH (2.67 mg/kg) and THC (20.57 mg/kg) accumulation in test plant. Combining stimulant (urea) with phytoremediation also improved soil properties such as pH, Nitrogen and Potassium. With the highest reduction of TPH and THC in treatment B (phytoremediation with 20 g/m2 urea) than other treatments is an indication that low concentration of urea has a stimulatory effect on phytoremediation of crude oil by Chromolaena odorata.

Impact of Illegal Crude Oil Refining in Jike-ama River of Bille Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria

Oil exploration and exploitation is a lucrative business and one of the major sources of revenue in Nigeria. Each year, hundreds of post-impact assessment (PIA) studies are conducted to assess the impact of the hazards generated by the oil industry on social environment and on human health. This hazardous impact is the associated with the activities of illegal refining of crude oil. Thus, this work examined the impact of illegal crude oil refining activities in Jike-Ama river of Jike-Ama community. Shellfish, fish, surface water and sediment samples were randomly collected in triplicates. Physiochemical parameters, heavy metal content, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and total hydrocarbon content of the water in addition to heavy metal content and PAHs in fish, Shellfish and sediment were determined. The results of the physicochemical parameters showed that pH, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand, turbidity and total hydrocarbon content of water were above FEPA permissible limits while chloride, nitrate and sulphate detected in water were within FEPA permissible limits. Dissolved oxygen was observed to be below FEPA permissible limit. The mean concentration of heavy metals and PAHs in sediment showed significant difference (p<0.05) when compared with values for Shellfish and fish and were above FEPA and WHO permissible limits. Shellfish had higher concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs than fish. PAHs values in shellfish showed significant difference (p<0.05). Heavy metals concentration in fish were above permissible limits except Cr, Zn and Pb. Concentration of PAHs in fish, shellfish, surface water and sediment were generally above FEPA and WHO permissible limits. This findings suggests high concentration of contaminants in Jike-Ama river.

Enhancement of the soil quality of an oil-polluted ultisol using livestock wastes

The study investigated the enhancement of soil quality of an oil-polluted ultisol using livestock wastes. Top soil (0 - 10 cm) was obtained as a pooled sample and polluted with spent lubricating oil at 10% w/w. The soil was subsequently amended with sun-dried goat (GT), rabbit (RB), and poultry (PG) dung at 10% w/w on dry weight basis both in singles, double-mixed, and triple-mixed combinations. Twelve weeks after treatment application, results showed that there was a 93.9% decrease (p<0.05) in bacterial colony count in the oil-polluted soil compared to the control. Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus niger as well as Bacillus sp. and Proteus sp. were the prominent fungal and bacterial species identified respectively. The most abundant plant in the soil seed bank was Panicum maximum with 10.4% abundance and this showed possible involvement of the plant in remediation of oil-pollution. The total hydrocarbon content of the oil-polluted soil was 9984.0 mg/kg, compared to 3170.6 mg/kg when amended with RB+GT, implying 76.77% remediation efficiency. Among several trials employed in this study, the combination of rabbit and goat wastes proved to be more effective in reducing the total hydrocarbon content of oil-polluted soil and therefore, is recommended as a potential candidate for application in the bioremediation of such soil.

Physicochemical Characteristics, Particle Size Distribution and Total Hydrocarbon Content in Soil from Abandoned Landfill Site in Igbogene, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Most household and some industrial solid wastes end up in the landfill which is the commonest means of solid waste management in many parts of Baylesa state, Nigeria. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics, particle size distribution and total hydrocarbon content in soil samples from abandoned landfill site in Igbogene, Bayelsa state, Nigeria by collecting samples from varying distances (50m, 100m and 150m) at a depth of 0-20cm and analyzed using standard methods. Results were in the range of 5.01 – 5.34 (pH), 0.73 – 0.98 meg/100g (Exchangeable Acidity), 2.45 – 3.48 meg/100g (sodium), 0.19 – 0.31 meg/100g (potassium), 3.94 – 5.33 meg/100g (calcium), 1.52 – 2.15 meg/100g (magnesium), 9.57 – 11.49 mg/kg (nitrate), 4.18 – 5.19 mg/kg (sulphate), 6.99 – 8.85 mg/kg (available phosphorus), 8.23 – 12.60 mg/kg (total hydrocarbon content), 76.48 – 100.25 mg/kg (chloride), 5.14 – 7.59 mg/kg (ammonium), 8.83 – 8.95% (clay), 2.70 – 3.10% (silt), 87.93 – 88.35% (sand), 2.62 – 3.58% (organic carbon), 4.51 – 6.16% (organic matter) and 0.22 – 0.33% (total nitrogen). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant deviations (p>0.05) across the various distances for all parameters except for organic carbon and matter, total nitrogen, potassium and ammonium. In addition, most of the nutrients showed positive significant relationship at p<0.05. This suggests that at large the activities of old landfill in the study area is not influencing the soil characteristics under study. Rather the apparent decline in value away from old landfill may be due to mobility level of minerals in the soil toward the southwest direction, which the cluster analysis clearly showed. Keywords: Physicochemical Properties, Environmental Contamination, Hydrocarbon Content, Landfill

Biodegradation Potentials of Waste Engine Oil by Three Bacterial Isolates

Environmental contamination by waste engine oil in cities all over the world constitute serious public health concern because its effects are unwholesome and unquantifiable. This study was carried out to biodegrade waste engine oil using bacterial isolates. Three bacteria were isolated from soil samples that have been contaminated with waste engine oil for over seven years in automechanic workshops at Ebelle. They were analysed using standard methods. The bacterial count was 89.4 ± 0.02cfu/g while the control was 3.6 ± 0.14cfu/g. The bacterial diversity identified in descending order were Bacillus sp. (25.41%), Pseudomonas sp. (22.13%), Corynebacterium sp. (18.44%), Acetobacter sp. (18.03%) and Aeromonas sp. (15.98%). The biodegradation efficiencies of three bacterial isolates; Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium species were observed taking records of change in physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and total hydrocarbon content) for 40 days at 10 days interval with waste engine oil sample at concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. Corynebacterium sp. gave the highest percentage reduction in pH values of 52.92% at 10% contamination level while Pseudomonas sp. gave the highest percentage reduction of 53.04%, 52.99% and 53.01% at 20%, 30% and 40% crude oil contamination levels respectively. The pH values of the control was almost the same all through the period of incubation. Bacillus sp. gave the highest percentage increase in electrical conductivity value of 74.17%, 69.93% and 69.91% at 10%, 20% and 40% contamination level respectively while Pseudomonas sp. gave the highest increase of 70.45% at 30% contamination level. Also, the values at day 0 and the control were not so different from each other. Corynebacterium sp. gave the highest percentage reduction in total hydrocarbon content of 95.49%, 95.48%, 96.50% and 96.50% at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% contamination level respectively. The result revealed a reduction in pH and total hydrocarbon content while there was an increase in electrical conductivity values. This indicated that biodegradation occurred. This study revealed that the bacterial isolates particularly Corynebacterium sp. possess the ability to biodegrade waste engine oil thereby guaranteeing environmental quality and sustained public health for all and sundry. Keywords: biodegradation, Corynebacterium sp., environmental sustainability, total hydrocarbon content

Korelasi Total Kandungan Hidrokarbon pada Air dan Sedimen di Perairan Sungai Donan, Segara Anakan Kabupaten Cilacap, Jawa Tengah

ABSTRAK : Industri besar yang berada di Cilacap salah satunya adalah industri minyak dan gas (MIGAS) PT. Pertamina Refinery Unit IV Cilacap, dimana lokasi ini berada di sekitar perairan Sungai Donan yang menjadi objek penilitian. Aktivitas industri yang berada di dekat perairan dapat menyebabkan perairan mengalami pencemaran. Senyawa hidrokarbon adalah salah satu bahan yang dapat menyebabkan pencemaran pada suatu perairan, senyawa ini merupakan senyawa dominan penyususun minyak bumi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui hubungan kandungan total hidrokarbon pada air dan sedimen di perairan Sungai Donan, Cilacap. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di perairan Sungai Donan Kabupaten Cilacap pada bulan Februari 2019 - April 2019. Lokasi penelitian dibagi menjadi tiga stasiun yaitu Stasiun A (dekat hulu), B (muara Kali Anget), C (muara Sungai Donan). Sample yang diambil yaitu Air permukaan dan sedimen setiap stasiun dengan tiga kali pengulangan setiap stasiun. Kandungan total hidrokarbon pada air di Sungai Donan yang tertinggi berada di Stasiun C sebesar 2.07 mg/L, kemudian di stasiun A sebesar 0.63 mg/L dan kandungan yang terendah pada Stasiun B sebesar 0.22 mg/L. Kandungan total hidrokarbon pada sedimen berbanding lurus dengan air, kandungan yang tertinggi terdapat pada stasiun C sebesar 574.39 mg/kg, kemudian di stasiun A sebesar 497.11 mg/kg, dan kandungan yang terendah di Stasiun B sebesar 261.40 mg/kg. Kandungan total hidrokarbon pada air di semua stasiun masih di bawah batas ambang baku mutu, sedangkan kandungan pada sedimen di semua stasiun sudah melewati baku mutu yang sudah ditetapkan.ABSTRACT: One of the large oil and gas industry in Cilacap is PT. Pertamina Refinery Unit IV Cilacap, where the location is located around the waters of the Donan River which becomes the object of the research. Industrial activities near the water can cause pollution. Hydrocarbon compounds are one of the ingredients that can cause pollution to water. This compound is the dominant compound of petroleum. The purpose of this research is to know the total content of hydrocarbons in water and sediment in the waters of Donan River, Cilacap. This study was held in the Donan River waters of Cilacap Regency in February 2019-April 2019. The location used in this research is divided into three stations: A station (near the upstream), B (Kali Anget estuary), C (Donan River estuary). The Sample is the surface water and sediment in each station that is repeated three times. The total content of hydrocarbons in water of the highest Donan river was at C station 2.07 mg/L, then at station A of 0.63 mg/L and the lowest content at station B amounted to 0.22 mg/L. Total hydrocarbon content in sediment is directly proportional to water. the highest content found at the C station amounted to 574.39 mg/kg, then at station A of 497.11 mg/kg, and the lowest content at station B amounted to 261.40 mg/kg. The total content of hydrocarbons in water at all stations is still below the threshold of quality standards, while the content on the sediment at all stations has passed the quality standards that is already set.

Evaluation of the Levels of Heavy Metals, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon and Total Hydrocarbon Content in Tympanotomus fuscatus and Sediment, Qua Iboe River, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study assesses the levels of heavy metals and hydrocarbons in Tympanotomus fuscatus and the sediments of Qua Iboe River, Akwa Ibom State; the interest in the study area was due to the several industrial and oil exploration activities in the area. The heavy metals (HM) of interest were Pb, Cd, Cu, Se, Zn, As, Cr, Fe, Ni and Hg, determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy while Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) were determined by the GC-FID method. Results obtained indicated that the heavy metal concentration in Tympanotomus fuscatus ranged as follows: Pb (1.037 – 2.002 mg/kg), Cd (0.00 – 0.088 mg/kg), Cu (0.0037 – 10.01 mg/kg), Se (2.364 – 5.063 mg/kg), Zn (0.025 – 1.393 mg/kg), As (0.0113 – 0.355 mg/kg), Cr (1.075 – 3.055 mg/kg), Fe (2.384 – 10.022), Ni (0.045 – 1.223 mg/kg), Hg (0.037 – 1.003 mg/kg) while heavy metal concentration in sediments were: Pb (1.399 – 2.345 mg/kg), Cd (0.0267– 0.222 mg/kg), Cu (0.017 – 10.0197 mg/kg), Se (1.388 – 3.369 mg/kg), Zn (5.688 – 8.038 mg/kg), As (0.003 – 0.0317 mg/kg), Cr (0.0157 – 2.057 mg/kg), Fe (27.351 – 86.686), Ni (0.017 – 5.0413 mg/kg), Hg (0.06 – 1.53 mg/kg); generally, heavy metals levels were higher in dry season than in wet season. The levels of TPH ranged from 160.86 – 1081.52 mg/kg in Tympanotomus fuscatus and 175.97 – 3143.91 mg/kg in sediments; meanwhile, the concentration of TPH ranged from 728.47 – 2442.04 mg/kg in Tympanotomus fuscatus and 492.41 – 7186.25 mg/kg in sediments. Multiple correlation coefficient matrixes were carried out to ascertain the relationship between the pollutants concentration in the biota and sediments. Furthermore, predictive modeling of pollutant concentration in flesh and shell of Tympanotomus fuscatus was estimated. The results indicate that the amounts of HM, TPH and THC in some of the study sites were above the maximum permissible limit set by WHO and FMEnv; thus, pose health risk to humans.

Effect of Soil Microbes on Nitrate, Phosphate and Total Hydrocarbon Content of Various Concentrations of Oilfield Wastewater

The effects of soil microbes on nitrate, phosphate and total hydrocarbon content of various concentrations of oilfield wastewater were investigated for a period of 28 days using standard methods. Periodic sampling of the treatment options from each flask were carried out after 24 hrs and subsequently at 7 days interval for nitrate, phosphate and total hydrocarbon content analysis. The nitrate, phosphate and total hydrocarbon content were higher in all the treatment options than in the control (0%). The concentration of nitrate and phosphate in the soil treatment options reduced significantly at day 28. Total hydrocarbon content of the 0% (control) on 24 hrs was 48 mg/kg and 26 mg/kg on 28th day, while 10, 25, 50 and 75 (%) were 160 and 98, 162 and 94, 163 and 98, 163 and 96 mg/kg respectively. There was significant reduction between the incubation period (24 hr and 28 days) in the various treatment option including the control. The results revealed that nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) were been utilized by the soil microbes and further enhanced microbial utilization of hydrocarbons. This suggests that oilfield wastewater could serve as nutrient enhancement medium for indigenous soil microbes in bioremediation process.