Impact of gas flaring on surface and underground water: a case study of Anieze and Okwuibome areas of Delta State, Nigeria

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2020-03, Vol.192 (3), p.166, Article 166
• Main Authors: Alani, Rose, Nwude, Davies, Joseph, Adaeze, Akinrinade, Olumide
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aromatic compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Cadmium; Chromium; Control; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental science; Gas flaring; Gases; Groundwater; Heavy metals; Iron; Metals; Metals, Heavy; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Nigeria; Oil and gas exploration; Oil and Gas Fields; Oil exploration; Organic chemistry; Petroleum; Pollution; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Water analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water pollution; Water sampling; Zinc
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-8124-6

Gas flaring is a major activity in oil exploration processes in Nigeria with concerns on its effects on the oil communities. This study investigated the contribution of flare gases to pollution burden of Anieze and Okwuibome communities. Water samples were displayed at 10-m, 50-m, and 100-m locations from gas-flaring stations, and control samples were taken in another location. After a month, the water samples were examined for heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and physico-chemical parameters. Pb was found only in the 50-m location and above the WHO standard. Fe, Zn, and Cr were detected in the order 10 m > 50 m > 100 m > control whereas Cd was detected in the order 100 m > 50 m > 10 m > control. Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cd were linked to gas-flaring activities. The total PAHs were found in the order 10 m (1929.43 μg/L) > 100 m (1759.64 μg/L) > 50 m (620.27 μg/L) > control (389.37 μg/L). The signature ratio related the PAH sources to combination of petroleum and combustion sources. The sources of the PAHs were linked to the flare gas. The study implicates gas-flaring activities for the increased pollution burden in the communities and suggests policies that guide its reduction in petroleum explorations.