Impact of Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals on Coastal Interstitial Water Quality from an Artisanal Refining Site, K-Dere Ogoni, Nigeria

Abstract: The existence of heavy metals, PAHs and TPH in Artisanal refinery impacted water creates significant risks to human health and the ecosystem. In this study the concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Ni, As, and V), TPH and PAHs in interstitial water from K-Dere artisanal refining site and Nwinua mangrove forest Kono (control site), in Ogoniland Rivers State were evaluated. Determination of PAHs and TPH in interstitial water was analyzed using Gas Chromatography (GC)-FID (USEPA 8015-GC/FID), heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS; SensAA GBC Scientific) in accordance with ASTM (1999) and US EPA (2019) analytical methods. The results showed that total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration (TPH) in interstitial water at K/Dere peaked at 5633mg/l against 66.00mg/lat the Control site. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between (P>0.05) during the entire period of study. The lowest mean concentration (1341.08± 664.87mg/l) was recorded in April, 2019 and peaked in May, 2019 (1515.29 + 803.77mg/l). PAHs analysis showed that PAHs were below detectable limit during the entire period of this study. The comparison of levels of heavy metals in water samples from K-Dere and Kono gave the following results Fe (0.01-35.34mg/l), Pb (BDL-5.30mg/l), Cr (0.02-0.78), Zn (BDL-0.80mg/l), Cd (BDL-0.30mg/l) Ni (0.01-0.65mg/l). Results for all parameters analysed were above DPR compliance limits indicating that artisanal refining operations have increased the natural background concentrations of metals at K-Dere. Based on these findings, relevant governmental and regulatory bodies in the region should collaborate with local instruments to enforce bans on activities of these Illegal artisans and introduce appropriate strategies, programmes in place to integrate them into responsible means of livelihood. Keywords: Interstitial water, Artisanal refinery, heavy metals, PAHs and TPHs. Title: Impact of Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals on Coastal Interstitial Water Quality from an Artisanal Refining Site, K-Dere Ogoni, Nigeria Author: Sibe, L., Onwugbuta, G. C., Ajuru, G. International Journal of Recent Research in Physics and Chemical Sciences (IJRRPCS) ISSN 2350-1030 Vol. 9, Issue 2, October 2022 - March 2023 Page No: 33-41 Paper Publications Website: www.paperpublications.org Published Date: 20-March-2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7751273 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/Impact%20of%20Hydrocarbons-20032023-1.pdfInternational Journal of Recent Research in Physics and Chemical Sciences (IJRRPCS), ISSN 2350-1030, Paper Publications, Website: www.paperpublications.or