PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CRUDE OIL POLLUTED SWAMP AT ORONI IN ENHWE COMMUNITY, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties of crude oil polluted swamp soil at Oroni in Enhwe Community, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from sampling sites. Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard protocols. One way ANOVA (with statistical package SPSS version 22.0.) was used to analyze the mean values of the samples. The results showed that pH, Nitrogen (N), organic carbon, exchangeable acidity (EA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), silt, clay and sand in soil of polluted area varied when related to control. Electrical conductivity (EC), sulphate (SO4), phosphorus (P), nitrate (NO3), organic matter, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) levels of polluted soil were higher when compared to soil control. The study established that crude oil pollution affected the physiochemical properties of the soil since high concentrations of these parameters result in chemical composition of polluted soil, thus making it unsuitable for agricultural growth of crops. The study therefore recommends that possible actions be designed to prevent or reduce crude oil spillage in the area under study