Water Quality Studies in parts of Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria using Heavy Metal Pollution Index

Abstract

Eastern Niger Delta is the operational base of major oil producing and servicing companies in Nigeria. Petroleum exploration and exploitation have triggered adverse environmental impacts in the Delta area of Nigeria through incessant environmental, socio-economic and physical disasters that have accumulated over the years due to limited scrutiny and lack of assessment. Heavy metals are metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. They are not biodegradable rather the bioaccumulate and can enter our bodies through food, drinking water and air. Heavy metal enrichment index revealed the elements in the decreasing order of: Fe> Ni>Cu> Zn>Mn> Cd > Co> Pb>Cr> As> Hg. The study identified salt intrusion, oil spillage, gas flaring, use of agrochemicals and industrial effluents as well as poor sanitation as contributors to the groundwater deterioration in the area. Due to the monumental and devastating effects of hydrocarbon pollution in the area, the need to eradicate gas flaring and minimize oil spills in the area was advocated. Bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques were recommended to be applied in the clean-up of soils and water contaminated with hydrocarbon in the area