Effects of an oil spill on soil physico-chemical properties of a spill site in a typic udipsamment of the Niger Delta Basin of Nigeria

Physico-chemical analysis of soil samples at an oil spill site in a Typic Udipsamment of the Niger Delta Basin of Nigeria showed that the total hydrocarbon content of top soil layers ranged from 18.6 to 23.6 ppm in the heavy impact zone and the oil had penetrated to a depth op 8.4 m. The concentrati...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental monitoring and assessment 2000-01, Vol.60 (2), p.235-249
Main Authors: Ekundayo, E.O, Obuekwe, O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Cations
Chemical analysis
Chemical properties
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Heavy metals
Hydrocarbons
Metal concentrations
Nigeria, Niger R
Oil spills
Organic carbon
Organic phosphorus
Organic soils
Physicochemical properties
pollutants
polluted soils
Pollution
Pollution sources. Measurement results
Pollution, environment geology
Sand
Sandy soils
Soil analysis
Soil and sediments pollution
soil depth
Soils
Topsoil
Total organic carbon
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Physico-chemical analysis of soil samples at an oil spill site in a Typic Udipsamment of the Niger Delta Basin of Nigeria showed that the total hydrocarbon content of top soil layers ranged from 18.6 to 23.6 ppm in the heavy impact zone and the oil had penetrated to a depth op 8.4 m. The concentration of hydrocarbons in the medium impact zone ranged from 10.04 to 10.38 ppm while hydrocarbons were not detected in 85% of samples from the unimpacted reference zone. Heavy metal concentration measurements in the soil revealed a significant build-up (P < 0.05) of lead, copper and zinc in the heavy impact zone. Other quality parameters including electrical conductity, exchangeable cations, total nitrogen and available phosphorus in impacted soils were relatively low, while the total organic carbon was high compared with the reference site. Textural class of soil from the different depths showed a predominantly brown sand at the topsoil, loamy sand and grey coarse sand at medium depths, and grey coarse sand and greyish sandy clay at greater depths.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0167-6369
1573-2959
DOI:10.1023/A:1006230025095