PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL SAMPLES IMPACTED BY HYDROCARBONS FROM SELECTED SITES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study determined the physio-chemical properties of the soil samples from selected hydrocarbon impacted sites in the Niger Delta region. Standard sampling and analytical methods were employed. The following physio-chemical parameters were analyzed; Sand, Silt, Clay, TOC (%), pH, EC (µs/cm), Av.P (mg/kg), Magnesium (mg/kg), Potassium (mg/kg), Sodium (mg/kg) and Calcium (mg/kg). Findings revealed that the physio-chemical properties of soil in the hydrocarbon impacted sites measured after the biostimulation remediation technique used in Oguta community, the enhanced land farming technique used in Omuwei community and the enhanced natural attenuation technique used in Oporoma community were within the permissible limit of WHO except conductivity (98.62-125.71) which require to be looked into. It further revealed that the physical and chemical properties of soil in selected impacted sites varied across the different sample stations. Based on these findings, it was concluded concluded that these variations observed in this study was due to the inherent environmental condition as at the time of sample collection. It is therefore recommended that relevant agencies should constantly check on the levels of these parameters using the WHO guidelines.