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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2018, 8(3): 172-182
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Article

Heavy metals, risk indices and its environmental effects: A case study of Ogoniland, Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Ogwugwa Vincent Happy1, Ogwugwa Joy2, Idowu Olagoke Kunlere3, Nwadike Blessing Ifeoma3, Falodun O. Israel3, Fagade O. Ezekiel3
1Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Nigeria
2Department of Microbiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
3Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Received 9 June 2018;Accepted 28 June 2018;Published 1 September 2018
IAEES

Abstract
Nigeria has the largest petroleum industries in West African region and the second largest in Africa after Algeria. Nigeria has a total of 159 oil fields and 1481 wells in operation, Explorations in the oil industry in Nigeria have resulted in release of hydrocarbons and associated pollutants including heavy metals into the Niger Delta environment from refine and unrefined petroleum products. Extraction, processing, and transport of crude oil dating back to the 1950s have had a devastating impact on Ogoniland, a territory in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Unlike hydrocarbons that can be degraded by microorganisms, heavy metals are recalcitrant to biodegradation, hence this research. Samples were collected from five communities in Ogoniland and these samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentration using inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry. The mean of the heavy metals detected are Co (0.912 mg/kg), As (1.04 mg/kg) and Ba (42.39 mg/kg). Heavy metal concentration in these sampled sites exceeded the maximum limit set by Standard Organization of Nigeria. From the results Barium had the highest concentration of heavy metal which is due to the use of barium sulphate to increase the density oil during drilling operations. Barium present in the environment is of public health concern and uptake of water-soluble barium may cause a person to experience vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, difficulties in breathing, increased or decreased blood pressure, numbness around the face and muscle weakness. Therefore, there is need for stringent implementation of regulations guiding oil exploration industries in the release of heavy metals to the environment as in the case of Ogoniland.

Keywords heavy metal;environmental concerns;Ogoniland;pollution;sediment.



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