Hydrocarbon-Induced Changes in Physicochemical Properties in Tropical Niger Delta Soils

ABSTRACT

The proliferation of oil exploration and exploitation in parts of Niger Delta for over six decades has made the region a hydrocarbon hub in Nigeria. This has led to pollution in parts of the region with a serious concern for the environment hence it adversely affects the inherent soil index properties. This research work was aimed at evaluating Electrical conductivity (EC) as a surrogate tool to study soil physico-index properties in parts of this region under hydrocarbon pollution. The objective was to obtain a correlation between EC and soil physicochemical properties across a pristined, post-polluted, and phytoremediated soils. Data were collected and analyzed based on ecological field and laboratory standards. Result recorded variations in the ionic, salinity, and physical properties of the soil across post-pollution and phytoremediation soils in comparison with the pristine unpolluted soil. A significant increase across pollution in soil EC which had non-significant decrease across phytoremediation soils was recorded. However, Crotolaria retusa treated soil had the highest EC with significant difference. There was positive correlation between EC and index properties across the various soil conditions. In conclusion the result has revealed a positive correlation between integrated index properties and EC across pristine, post-polluted, and post phytoremediation soils.

KEYWORDS:

• Soil texture
• cations
• anions
• physical properties
• phytoremediation

Acknowledgments

This paper is an excerpt of the result of PhD approved thesis in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The authors thank colleagues and technologies that helped with the fieldwork and laboratory analyses at the period of the study. The Authors expresses appreciation for the contribution of the blessed memory: Late Prof. Dave Nosa Omakaro (one of the Supervisor for this project).

Conflict of interest

The authors states that this paper is devoid of any conflict of interest.