Assessment of Capacity and Impacts of 8.5 MW Gas Fired Power Plant on Soil and Water Quality in Lekki, Lagos State Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential impacts of 8.5 MW thermal power plant on soil and water quality within its location, Lekki area, Lagos State. The study area was geo-referenced using the existing map and Geographical Positioning System. Auger was used to sample soil at three different locations within the power plant. The soil samples were prepared and analyzed for the following parameters using standard analytical methods. The parameters include soil texture, Exchangeable cations and anions (H+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl- and SO42-) Nutrients compounds (NO3-, Total Nitrogen (TN), Organic Carbon (OC) and heavy metals (Fe, Cd, As, and Mn). Surface and groundwater samples were collected within the power plant in triplicate and analyzed for true colour, turbidity, conductivity, salinity, THC and Coliform. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), BOD5, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Organic Matter (OM) and heavy metals (As, Ag, Fe and Mn) of water samples were also analyzed. The soil from the study area is loamy-sand in texture. The average As, Ag, Fe and Mn in surface and groundwater samples were 0.055, 0.025, 3.150, 0.735 and 0.12, 0.080, 6.440 and 0.180 mg/L, respectively. The gas-fired power plant has contaminated the soil and water within its premises with petroleum and heavy metals. The engine stack should be modified to minimize the pollution effects of the power plant on the environment.