physico-chemical and heavy metal analysis of effluent
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International Academic Journal of Applied BioMedical Sciences ISSN Print : XXXX-XXXX | ISSN Online : XXXX-XXXX Frequency : Bi-Monthly Language : English Origin : Kenya Website : https://www.iarconsortium.org/journal-info/iajabms
Available: https://iarconsortium.org/journal-info/iajabms
6
Physico-Chemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of Effluent Water from Port Harcourt Refinery Depot, Nigeria
Abstract: Physico-chemical and heavy metal analysis of effluent water from Port
Harcourt Refinery Company Ltd. was done. Water samples were collected from
the fall out (station 1), 100m away (station 2) and 200m away (station 3) and
taken to the laboratory for analysis. The pH for station 1=5.0, station 2=5.5 and
station 3=6.0 which is below the DPR specification. The electrical conductivity
ranged from 60-75µS/cm. The TDS values of station 1 and 2 were recorded as
19mg/L and station 3 was 20mg/L. Salinity was low in all stations. The TSS was
above the DPR specification at station 1 but at station 2 and 3 was within the
specification of 30mg/L. BOD was high in all stations and was above the DPR
specification of 10mg/L, the result ranged from 28-43mg/L. The value of COD
exceeded the DPR specification of 40mg/L, the result for all stations ranged from
42-61mg/L. The level of oil and grease in station 1 and 2 were higher than the
DPR specification of 10mg/L but station 3 was observed to be within. The heavy
metals (Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium
(Cr)) were estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result
obtained for Pb in station 1=0.051mg/L, station 2=0.062mg/L and station
3=0.030mg/L. Ni in station 1=0.009mg/L, station 2=0.001mg/L and station
3=0.012mg/L. Mn, Cd and Cr were=0.001 in all. Pb was observed to be higher
than all other heavy metals in the effluent water.
Keywords: Effluent water, physico-chemical parameters, heavy metals, refinery.
INTRODUCTION Nigeria is blessed with a vast gas and crude oil deposits and exploring it has
left the country with vulnerabilities (Nduka and Orisakwe, 2009). There is a
strong relationship between human activities and pollution of the environment.
The recognition of this connection and the need to protect human health,
recreation and fisheries production led to the early development of water quality
regulation and monitoring methods (Daka et al., 2007; USEPA, 1986). Industrial
effluents, agricultural run offs, transport, burning fossils, animal and human
excretes, contribute to the metal level in water bodies (Altindag and Yigit, 2005;
Awofolu et al., 2005; Adeniyi and Okedeyi, 2004). Rapid urbanization and
industrialization of Port Harcourt and its environs between 1965 and 2003 created
pollution potentials that are high. The rivers estuaries, creeks and air have been contaminated for decades (Egborbe, 1995). The Port
Harcourt Refinery at Alesa Eleme has a processing capacity of producing 60,000 barrels of petroleum per day of crude oil. Nigerian
Crude is known to contain heavy metals in varying proportions (Nwadinigwe and Nworgu, 1999). The metallic components in crude
oil are in the form of transition metal complexes, organometallic compounds, carbonyl acid salts of polar functional groups,
metalloporphyrin chelates and colloidal minerals (Lewis and Sani, 1981). Other inorganic constituents of crude oil are Sulphur,
Nitrogen, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Manganese (Achi and Shide, 2004). Discharge of some metals into natural waters at
increased concentration in sewage, industrial effluents or from mining and industrial operations can have severe toxicological effects
on aquatic environment and humans (DWAF, 1996). These environmental pollutants which are environmentally mobile tend to
accumulate in organism and become persistent because of their chemical stability or poor biodegradability (Emoyan et al., 2005).
Heavy metals gain access into the river system from both natural and anthropogenic sources and these get distributed into the water
body and sediment during the course of their transport. A catchment area containing solid minerals will usually have elevated metal
level as the trace metal content of the river waters is normally controlled by the abundance of metals in the river catchment and their
mobility (Olajire and Imeokparia, 2000). In coastal environments, the influence of salt water intrusion is often significant.
Underground water quality is dependent on pollution status of its environment (Olabaniyi and Owoyemi, 2006). The subsurface flow
system of the Niger Delta is complex as the braided nature of the streams and rivers there in (Ekundayo, 2006), coupled with the
problems of environmental pollution, degradation, river situation, coastal erosion as well as extermination of wildlife, fauna and flora
that are of the fate of oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta region. The Port Harcourt Refinery makes it more noticeable that
these problem by discharge of its untreated effluents into natural receptors (adjoining surface waters) hence the essence of this study is
to ascertain the pollutant loads of water in the study area (Ekerekana creek) with a view of comparing the pollution profile of the water
supply of the coastal creek areas in Port Harcourt in order to assist policy makers and regulatory agencies on policy issues.
Research Article
Article History
Received: 05.09.2020
Accepted: 02.10.2020
Revision: 07. 10.2020
Published: 10.10.2020
Author Details Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and
ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel
Authors Affiliations
Department Of Chemical Sciences, Faculty Of Science, Niger Delta University P.M.B 071, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa. Nigeria
Corresponding Author* Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh
How to Cite the Article: Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO,
Minainyo Emmanuel (2020); Physico-
Chemical and Heavy Metal Analysis of
Effluent Water from Port Harcourt Refinery
Depot, Nigeria. Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci.
1(1)6-17.
Copyright @ 2020: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non commercial use (NonCommercial, or CC-BY-NC) provided the original author and source are credited.
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, is an oil
refinery and the problems of pollution arising at oil
refinery with the main emphasis on effluent water. Oily
water can accumulate from variety of process units and
the immediate surroundings of tanks and pump houses
plus water drained from tanks; process water and
chemical draining. The nonoil containments which
appear are sulphides, ammonia, organic acid, phenols,
sodium chloride and other inorganic salt are likely to be
present in the crude oil tankage and desalter. These
compounds are toxic to aquatic organism if discharged
to the sea without treatment. The physico-chemical,
biological and geological characteristics of water
determined gives us its usefulness for industry,
domestic and agricultural uses. The study of water
chemistry gives the important indications of geological
history of the enclosing rock, the velocity and direction
of water movement (American Public Health
Association, 2012). In developed countries, strict
adherence to standards is maintained to ensure good and
efficient pollution control. Industrial effluents are
treated to very low levels of toxicity before discharge
into the environment. However, in developing countries
like Nigeria, there is no strict adherence to antipollution
standard but with establishment of Federal
Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), there is a
ray of hope. This poses a threat to human existence if
not checked, since pollution effect on man are
cumulative (American Standard for Testing Material,
1997). Waste water is a Refinery effluent from various
units of the Refinery and passes through treatment
before discharging into Ekerekena creek then into the
ocean. There is a great need for proper control of waste
treatment process to ensure very low toxic levels of
pollution discharge into receptor environment. Water is
an extraordinary substance, anomalous in nearly all of
its physical-chemical properties and easily the most
complex of all the familiar substances that are single
chemical compounds. The physico-chemical properties
of water are of great importance. Pure water has no
taste, odour or turbidity. At one atmosphere of pressure
pure water has the following properties; molecular
weight 18.01, density of 0.998g/mol, vapour pressure of
4.58mmHg melting point of 00C, boiling point of
1000Cand heat of ionization of 55.71kg/mL. One
property that makes water such a good solvent is that it
is not linear but rather tetrahedral making it have a
strong dipole moment. Water is never entirely 100%
pure as it carries traces of other substances which
bestow to its physical, chemical and bacteriological.
Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, is an oil
company which provides qualitative refining services
for domestic and internal markets at competitive prices.
Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd, is a subsidiary of
Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) and
its Nigeria’s biggest Refinery sited at Alesa Eleme, one
of the suburbs of Port Harcourt in Rivers State.
Contaminants such as phenol, mercaptan, sulphides,
ammonia, organic compounds and inorganic salts are
present in crude oil tankage and desalting. The
pollution of water by industries located within urban
settlements is a cause of concern in most parts of the
world (Nyamangara et al., 2008; Rajaram and Das,
2008). Pollution by heavy metals occurs from
industries, agricultural wastes and automobile exhausts.
Many of these wastes are toxic and the heavy metals
found their ways to land, water and sediments. These
problem is worse in developing countries where rapid
urban population growth and increased industrialization
has increased the hydraulic lead and complexity of
effluents handled by public owned treatment work
(POTW) (Oberholster et al., 2008; Ntuli T et al., 2011).
STUDY AREA The sample area for this study is indicated in
the figure below. Port Harcourt Refinery Company Ltd.
is located in a region of Rivers State in Nigeria with its
geographic coordinates are 4o45’33”N, 7
o05’53”E at
Alesa-Eleme. Ekerekana is one of the towns that make
up Okrika local government area of Rivers state. It is
host to Nigeria’s biggest refinery and petrochemical
company established in 1978, with a processing
capacity of 60,000 barrels per day of crude oil. The host
community that donated their land jointly for the
establishment of the company was AlesaEleme in
Rivers state. The surface water of the host communities
receives effluents directly from the company. The area
experiences tropical climate with significant rainfall in
most month of the year. The average annual
temperature of 250C
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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Figure1. Map showing the sample location
Collection of Samples
The samples were collected from Port Harcourt
Refinery fall out on the 21st of March 2019 around
2:00pm. The samples were then transported to
JachPetroanalytical Company in a cooler with ice in it
to maintain the temperature of the samples.
Name of Samples
Samples were collected directly from the fall out(station
1), 100m away (station 2) and 200m away (station 3).
Heavy metals determined: Lead, Manganese,
Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel
Materials and Instruments
water samples (from 3 stations), sampling
bottles, spatula, weighing balance, pH meter (model HI
98107), conductivity meter (model DDS-307), digestion
flask, hot plate, plastic bottles, atomic absorption
spectrometer (shimadzu AAS-6300), burette,
spectrophotometer (model 7000 UV spec), distillation
apparatus, wash bottles, distilled water, volumetric
flask, pipettes and reagents.
METHODS The method used for sampling and laboratory
analysis is according to the America Standard Testing
Material (ASTM), American Petroleum Institute (API)
and Petroleum Institute of India (PII). The parameters
monitored for toxicity levels of refinery effluents are;
pH, Temperature, Electrical conductivity, Oil and
grease, Total dissolved solids, Total suspended solids,
Biochemical oxygen demand, Chemical oxygen
demand, Cyanides, Salinity, Metals: Nickel, Lead,
Manganese, Cadmium and Chromium.
Parameters of Pollution Monitored in Refinery
Effluent
Pollution parameters are generally used for
characterizing the various forms of pollutants. The
parameters are largely dependent on the sources of
effluents whereas domestic sewage contains impurities.
These parameters of pollution in refinery effluents can
be classified under physical, chemical and microbial
qualities.
Physical Parameters
This are generally reported in terms of temperature,
colour, odour, turbidity and pH
a) Temperature: The temperature of the water
samples monitored is in degree centigrade. The
temperature of the refinery wastewater in warm
climate is slightly lower than air temperature
during most of the year and it has effect on
microbial activities.
b) pH: This is the negative logarithms base 10 of
hydrogen ion concentration(pH=-log10[H+]). The
pH of refinery wastewater was monitored with a
pH meter and made sure it was accordance with the
international standard before being discharged.
c) Turbidity: This is caused by a variety of
suspended and colloid solids. The turbidity is
expressed in the form of total dissolve solids and
conductivity.
d) Electrical conductivity and resistivity of water: The unit electrical conductivity is Siemens per
centimeter. The actual resistance of the cell Rx is
measured in Ohms. The conductance 1/Rx is
directly proportional to the length of the path L
(cm). 1/Rx=K*A/L where K is the conductivity and
expressed in millisiemens/centimeter at a specified
temperature normally at 25oC.
e) Electrical Resistivity: Resistance in Ohms
measured between opposite faces of centimeter
cube of an aqueous solution at specified
temperature[Rx=R*L/A]. The values are usually
expressed in Ohm centimeter at a specified
temperature of 25oC.
Chemical Pollution Parameters
In refinery waste, there are mainly organic and
inorganic constituents including fat and grease. The
constituents are stable and decomposed slowly by
microorganisms. Organic constituents are monitored by
Biochemical oxygen demand(BOD) and Chemical
oxygen demand(COD), phenolic compounds and
cyanides. Inorganic parameters are acidity and
alkalinity, chloride, phosphate, ammonia and heavy
metals. All these are monitored to make sure that they
are within FEPA specifications before they are
discharged into sea.
Laboratory Analysis
Determination of Total Suspended Solids in Water
a) Summary of method: The total matter is
determined by evaporation of an appropriate
aliquot or the particulate are separated by filtration
and dried and weighed.
b) Method: 100mL of water samples was measured
and filtered through 0.45µm filter membrane.
Before filtration, the filter paper was dried in oven
at 105oC and cooled in the desiccator and weighed.
The particulate matter was dried and weighed.
c) Calculation:
Total suspended solids=
ie
Result expressed in ppm or mg/L d) Significance: It is important for biologically
treated effluents and for many industrial wastes.
The suspended matter is largely organic and thus
responsible for significant proportion of the oxygen
demand. Thus if discharged to steam it would
consume undesirable amount of dissolved oxygen.
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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Determination of Oil and Grease
a) Scope: This is to determine the oil and grease in
water by gravimetric method.
b) Procedure: 200mL of the wastewater sample was
placed in 300mL separating funnel and acidified
with 5mL of conc. HCl. 40mL of CCl4 was added
and shaken vigorously for extraction. The pressure
was always released at intervals; the 100mL beaker
was dried and weighed. The CCl4 layer was filtered
though a filter paper containing anhydrous sodium
sulphate into a known weight 100mL beaker. The
anhydrous sulphate is to remove the traces of water
from oil. The beaker and the contents were placed
on a hot plate in a fume cupboard evaporated to
dryness. The beaker was removed and cooled in a
dessicator for 30mins before reweighing.
c) Calculation:
Oil/grease
content=
ie
d) Significance: The presence of oil and grease in
domestic and industrial wastewater is of concern to
the public because of its deleterious aesthetic
effects and its impacts on aquatic life. Regulation
and standards have been established that requires
monitoring of oil and grease in wastewater. Oil and
grease standard in water is 0.5ppm.
Determination of Phenolic Compounds by Direct
Colorimetric Method
100mL of the distillate was transferred to
100mL volumetric flask or suitable aliquot diluted to
100mL. Blank was prepared with 100mL of distilled
water measured into 100mL volumetric flask. 5mL of
NH4OH solution was added to the 100mL distillate and
adjusted the ph 9.8-10.2 with NH4OH. 2mL 0f 4-amino
antipyrine and 2mL of Potassium ferric cyanide was
added and mixed vigorously. The mixture was left for
15mins for colour development. The mixture was later
scan at 510nm with10mm absorption cell. The colour
intensity is proportional to the amount of the phenolic
compounds present in the sample.
Calculation: Conc. from UV dillutor factor =Phenol
mg/L or ppm
Determination of Cyanide
Scope: The method covers the determination of total
cyanide in water and saline water
Significance: The presence of cyanide in industrial,
domestic and surface waters is of concern because of its
toxicity.
Summary of methods: This is based on the
decomposition of nearly all of the metalo-cyanide
complexes and simple cyanides from a strongly
acidified sample during a one hour reflux distillation
procedure. To ensure the breakdown of the very tightly
complexed iron cyanide compounds; a decomposition
catalyst magnesium chloride is added to the sample
before distillation. The cyanide content of the
absorption solution is determined colourimetrically.
Procedure: 250mL of water sample were collected in
500mL beaker and 20mL of Zinc acetate into 500mL
distillation flask and refluxed for 1hr. The distillation
was collected in a 100mL cylinder containing 20mL of
sodium hydroxide (0.04N)
The sodium hydroxide absorbed the cyanide and
converted to sodium cyanide 10mL 0f the aliquot was
collected in 50mL volumetric flask. 4mL of phosphate
buffer, 2mL of chloramines T and 5mL of pyridine
solution were added into the sample and development
and measures with 10mm absorption cell at 578nm.
For blank monitoring, 10mL of 0.04N 9f NaOH was
collected in 50mL volumetric flask and other reagents
were added and scan at 578nm.
Reagents: Phosphate k buffer, anhydrous sodium,
hydrogen phosphate, 3N NaH2PO4.H2O, (138g/L).
Barbatric pyridine preparation: 15g Barbaric into a
250mL volumetric flask and 75mL pyridine and mixed
vigorously. 15mL of HCl was added to the mixture and
cool to room temperature, then diluted to mark with
distilled water and mixed until all the barbituric acid
has completely dissolved.
Calculation ppm
µg/50mL=
50/10=Aliquot in 50mL
100mL=Distilled collected
250g-quality of the sample
Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand using
Digital (COD) Meter
Scope: This method describes a procedure for the
determination of the total oxidizable material in
Refinery effluent and other industrial waste water
Definition: COD is the amount of oxygen consumed
under prescribed test condition in the oxidation of
organic matter in waste water
Outline: The COD meter is the testing set for COD
measurement based on test method of industrial
effluent.COD is an index of organic contamination in
factory effluent which can ne measured through a
simple operation by colometry titration. The PPM is
digitally given on the meter.
Principle: A certain quantity of KMnO4(Potassium
Permanganate)is added to a water sample and after its
acid heating reaction by H2S04 the residual KMnO4
which remains without reacting to the organic matter in
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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the water sample is made to react with Ferrous ions by
electro-reduction is detected by an indicator electrode
which is directly indicated on the display for COD
value. Hence the amount of oxidizable material is
directly proportional to KMnO4 consumed.
Reagents: H2SO4/FeNH4(SO4)2: 60g of Ammonium
Ferric Sulphate into 400mL of distilled water and 5mL
of concentrated sulphuric acid.
N/40 KMnO4 solution: 0.8g of KMnO4 into 1litre of
distilled water and store in amber bottle.
Electrode internal solution: Dilute 3.0g KCl into 100mL
distilled water.
Determination of Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD)
Definition: BOD is the oxygen consumed for biological
depredation.
Summary of Method: This is a biological procedure,
which attempts to stimulate the natural processes of
oxidation of organic matter occurring in a river or
stream. The test is carried out by suitably diluting the
sample with aerated water and divides the diluted
sample between two bottles.
The dissolved oxygen is determined immediately in one
bottle and in the second bottle after it has been
incubated as a standard temperature of 20oC for 5 days.
The period of 5 days is the time at which the rare
oxygen consumption would attain a minimum value
under natural condition.
Many industrial effluent contain toxic metals phenolic
compounds, cyanides which depress the oxidation of
organic matter and reducing compound and organic
compounds not early amendable to biological oxidation,
thus making the BOD test unreliable.
Reagents
Seeding reagents are :
i) Solution A=FeCl3(0.25g/l)
B=CaCl2(27.5g/1)
C=MgSO4(22.5g/1)
D=K2HPO4(21.75G/1)
KH2PO4(8.5G/1)
Na2HPO4(44.6g/l)
NH4Cl(1.7g/l)
ii) MnSO4(240g/500mL) (solution 1)
iii) KOH 350g, Kl 75g, NaN3 10g/500mL (solution
2)
iv) Na2S2O3.5H2O 6.205g/L
v) KlO3 3.567g/L
vi) Arrow starch
Procedure: Seeding water was prepared by collecting
5000mL of distilled water and 1% of treated Biodisk
water sample added. 5mL of the solution A, 4mL of B,
5mL of C and 5mL of solution D were added to the
5000mL distilled water and aerated for 1hr.
About 3 BOD bottles were used and various
dilutions were used for the samples with the seeding
water, in each of the bottles containing both samples
and seeding water. 1mL of Manganese Sulphate was
added to convert the oxygen present at Manganese (iv)
oxide and 1ml of (KOH, KI and NaN3) solution was
also added to precipitate the sample Manganese
hydroxide.
The excess oxygen liberated was then titrated with
0.025N of Na2S2O3 with starch solution as indicator.
Calculation: BOD is calculated as Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved
Oxygen=
)
BOD= Where T=Titre value of Na2S2O3
Factor for BOD
20mlLof 1/40N KIO3+5mL of (1:5H2SO4)
+Starch solution. Keep in dark for 5mins
Titrate the solution with 1/40N Na2S2O3
N1V1=N2V2
0.025g KIO3×20=0.025g Na2S2O3×V2 Na2S2O3
Factor=20/V2=
For example
To calculate for BOD of an observation pond
Dissolved oxygen=
Determination of Heavy Metals
Scope: To determine the toxicity level of heavy metals
in the effluent.
Summary of Method: The samples were digested with
HCl and into solution with distilled water. The solution
was scanned at various wavelengths with Atomic
absorption spectrophotometer.
Procedure: The samples was digested with 5mL of
concentrated HCl, some water was added and filtered to
remove particles. The digested solution was transferred
into a 100mL volumetric flask and filled to mark.
Different metals where scanned at various wavelengths.
The metals observed are: Nickel (Ni) at 248.3nm, Lead
(Pb) at 217.0nm, Manganese (Mn) at 279.48nm,
Cadmium (Cd) at 228.8nm and Chromium (Cr) at
357.9nm.
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RESULTS 3.1.1 Presentation and Analysis of Result
Parameter DPR Specification Refinery fall out
(station 1)
100m away
(station 2)
200m away
(station 2)
pH 6.5-8.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Conductivity(us/cm) NO LIMIT 74.9 71.9 60.4
Temperature (0C) 35 32.3 32.3 22.4
TDS 2000 19 19 20
Chlorine (mg/L) 250 21.3 24.85 14.2
Salinity (ppt) 600 0.0278 0.0266 0.0218
TSS (mg/L) 30 31.65 30.56 26.44
BOD (mg/L) 10 28.65 40.75 42.56
COD (mg/L) 40 42.55 59.70 60.79
Phenol (mg/L) 0.001 0.05 0.041 0.040
Oil and grease (mg/L) 10 13.62 12.72 10.51
Cyanide (mg/L) NO LIMIT <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Heavy Metals in Refinery Effluents
The heavy metals in Port Harcourt Refinery effluent was monitored, the findings is tabulated below.
Parameters DPR Specification Refinery fall out
(station 1)
100 away
(station 2)
200 away
(station 3)
Nickel (mg/L) NO LIMIT 0.009 <0.001 0.012
Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.051 0.062 0.030
Manganese (mg/L) NO LIMIT <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Cadmium (mg/L) NO LIMIT <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Chromium (mg/L) <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Fig 3.1 showing pH levels of the different sampled sites. Acidity was noticed to be weakening. Tending toward neutrality.
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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Fig 3.2 showing conductivity of the different sampling points. DPR does not have a limit.
Fig 3.3 showing the temperature of the different sampled sites. Temperature was observed to decrease as you move away from refinery
fall station 1 =2>3.
Fig 3.4 showing TDS. It was observed to be very minute/insignificant when compared with the DPR standard for all the
sampling sites.
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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Fig 3.5 showing the chloride levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be infinitesimal when compared to the DPR
standard.
Fig 3.6 showing the salinity levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be infinitesimal when compared to the DPR standard.
Fig 3.7 showing the TSS levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be above in station 1 and 2 when compared to
the DPR standard but lower in station 3
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
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Fig 3.8 showing the BOD levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be higher for all the sampled sites as you move
further from station 1 to station 3, when compared to the DPR standard.
Fig 3.9 showing the COD levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be higher for all the sampled sites as you move
further from station 1 to station 3, when compared to the DPR standard
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Fig 3.10 showing the phenol levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be higher for all the sampled sites when
compared to the DPR standard. As you move further from station 1 to station 3, it started reducing.
Fig 3.11 showing the oil and grease levels for all the sampled sites. It was found to be higher for all the sampled sites
when compared to the DPR standard. As you move further from station 1 to station 3, oil and grease level started
decreasing
Fig 3.12 showing cyanide. It was observed to be very minute/insignificant
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Fig 3.13 showing Heavy metals at all Stations. Lead and Nickel were observed to be high when compared with the DPR
standard for all the sampled sites
DISCUSSION The level of both the metallic and non-metallic
pollutants of this study showed a range of variations.
This can be attributed to the differential derivations of
these inorganic pollutants from the discharge of
untreated water effluents originated from industries.
Heavy metals are harmful to most organisms at some
level of exposure and absorption (Chan et al., 1995).
The physico-chemical properties measured in
the study are pH, temperature, conductivity, TDS,
chlorine, salinity, TSS, BOD, COD, phenol, oil and
grease, cyanide and some heavy metals such as Nickel,
Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Manganese. The pH
values were below the DPR specification of 6.5-8.5 and
the pH of the samples worked on were of the range of
5.0-6-0 which is acidic; the low pH could have been as
a consequence of carbon dioxide saturation. The
temperature did not show variations at station 1 and
station 2 but reduced at station 3. The absence of
variation at station 1 and station2 is due to the fact that
water has a great specific heat capacity, the response to
major change in temperature is slow since water bodies
must absorb vast quantities of heat in order to increase
its temperature by 10oC. The implication of high
temperature is that it will reduce the amount of
dissolved air in water which could lead to death of
aquatic organisms. The electrical conductivity reduces
as the effluents move down from station 1 to station 3,
from this study it observed that the sample contain
appreciable amount of dissolved ions thus forming
barrier for survival of organisms. There was no much
significant difference in salinity measured and the
salinity of each station was lower than the DPR
specification, the low level of salinity indicates low
amount of salt content in the sample. Oil and grease
were high at station 1 and station 2 which normally
receive effluent discharged from the company and
station 3, was slightly above the DPR specification of
10. The study has shown high level of oil and grease in
the studied areas.
The value of BOD from all stations was quite
higher than the DPR specification of 10. The BOD test
is useful for determining the relative waste leading to
treatment of plants and the degree of oxygen demand
removal provided by primary treatment, a high BOD
therefore indicates the presence of large amount of
organic pollution caused by microbial organisms in
water and thereby increase the BOD load (Vilia-Elena,
2006). The value of TDS was significantly lower in all
sample stations, it was observed that the TDS value had
a slight difference. The TSS was higher than the TDS in
all stations, station 1 and station 2 had a higher TSS
value and it is above the DPR specification but at
station 3, the TSS value was lower the DPR
specification of 30. The heavy metals present in the
water examined are in much lower concentration and
doesn’t really give a cause of concern like Manganese,
Cadmium and Chromium which were all at the DPR
specification range. Metals like Lead and Cadmium are
highly toxic and harmful to humans and other living
organisms. The level of Lead is quite high in all stations
and it is above the DPR specification, Lead exposure
has been associated with microcytic, hypochromic
anemia with basophilic stippling of erythrocytes
(Emory et al., 1999). Nickel toxicity through
wastewater occurs from Nickel compound itself since
Nickel is not water soluble, exposure to Nickel in
wastewater is less common than airborne exposure, so
Orodu, Victor Enearepuadoh., and ALALIBO, Minainyo Emmanuel; Int Aca. J App Biomed Sci; Vol-1, Iss- 1 (Sep-Oct, 2020): 6-17
17
it’s important to properly treat wastewater to prevent
any underground contamination. Unlike organic
pollutants, metals are not chemically or biologically
biodegradable but may be bioconcentrated in the food
chain. The process of biomagnifications or
bioaccumulation is responsible for pollution indicators,
the concentration of heavy metals in this study were not
high, apart from Lead and Nickel but were at the range
of the maximum allowable limits set by the Federal
Ministry of Environment in Nigeria (FEPA).
CONCLUSION The study revealed that there is need for
improvement on the treatment of effluent by Port
Harcourt Refining Company Ltd. before it is discharged
into the environment. It was found that some physico-
chemical parameters of the effluents been discharged
into the creek is within the limit set by the Federal
Ministry of Environment Nigeria while some of the
parameters determined for the receiving water bodies
from the sample stations is not entirely free from gross
pollution and renders Ekerekana creek water unsuitable
for domestic purposes. This work suggests that there are
other sources of pollution besides refinery effluent that
is responsible for elevated levels of some physico-
chemical parameters in the studied area. This study also
indicates the need for continuous study of surface water
especially in areas where industries are located with
high industrial activities.
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