A Comparative Study Of Soil Electrical Conductivity And Salinity In Predominant And Non-Predominant Crude Oil Areas Of Akwa Ibom State Of Nigeria

Abstract

The electrical conductivity and salinity of some soil samples in Ibeno Local Government Area (crude oil rich area) and Etinan Local Government Area (non-crude oil rich area) have been measured. The results show a high positive correlation coefficients of r B = 0.685 and r T = 0.769 between soil electrical conductivity and salinity in both Ibeno and Etinan respectively. (r B for Ibeno and r T for Etinan). The electrical conductivity measured falls within the range of 0.613 ≤ E C ≤ 0.813 Ω -1 cm -1 for Etinan. While the measured salinity falls within the range of 0.023 ≤ E C ≤ 0.634 and 0.220 ≤ S ≤ 0.710 ds cm -1 for Ibeno and Etinan respectively. The t-test analysis reveals that there are no significant differences between the mean values of electrical conductivity and salinity in both Ibeno and Etinan Local Government Areas. KEY WORDS: Soil Electrical conductivity, Salinity, Crude Oil Area. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 19-22