EFFECT OF SPILLED CRUDE OIL AND ITS PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF THE OKOLOMA-NDOKI RIVER, RIVERS STATE.

Abstract

Background: Crude oil spillage is usually the accidental or intentional release of petroleum products into the environment as result of human activity. Objective of the study: the study determine the effect of spilled crude oil and its physicochemical parameters of the Okoloma-Ndoki River, Rivers State. Method: Okoloma-Ndoki River and Egberu-Ndoki River were used to carry out the research. The study adopted an experimental design because it collected data (water sample) from Okoloma-Ndoki River and Egberu-Ndoki River using pre-cleaned polythene bottles and sent to laboratory for analysis of physicochemical and hydrobiological characteristics, without manipulating any variable in the study. The three sampling points of the study area were randomly selected into three zones. Water samples were collected at depths varying from 3-5 meters with the help of a sampler which consisted of a glass bottle and a cord tied to a lid. The reliability index of 0.67 was obtained showing positive correlation. T-test were used to statistically analyze the data generated from laboratory investigation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the means and the statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results: The result showed that spilled crude oil had a large effect on all the physio chemical parameters in Okoloma-Ndoki River considered in the study except for the temperature and phosphate. The result of the study showed that there was a significant effect on the physio-chemical parameters in Okoloma-Ndoki River (M = 194.73 ± 1.66) in comparison to the Egberu-Ndoki (12.73) and World Health Organization Standard (142.06 ±0.00) due to the oil spills in the River with p = 0.000 and t (3) = -135.280. The result of the study showed that there was a significant effect on the quality of water in Okoloma-Ndoki River (M = 452.99± 0.99) in comparison to the World Health Organization Standard (375.00 ± 0.00) due to the oil spills in the River with p = 0.000 and t (3) = -652.65. Conclusion and Recommendations: it was concluded that there is public health effect of crude oil spill on the physicochemical characteristics of the Okoloma Ndoki River in the Rivers State. Most of the physicochemical parameters were higher than the WHO standard for water quality and this affected the water quality of the Okoloma-Ndoki community. It was recommended that Organizations and agencies should consider preventive surveillance should be undertaken by a team consisting of oil industry representative and environmental agencies, together with an appointed local community representative and the government to monitor and be proactive to the occurrence of spills in the area