Impact of the eleme petrochemicals company on the levels of some physicochemical parameters and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the soil from eleme

Abstract

This study investigated the level of some physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, % TOM, % TOC, % total nitrogen, % available phosphorous and particle size distribution) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in Eleme soil. Samples were collected from six different locations. The physicochemical parameters were determined using standard analytical methods and the total petroleum hydrocarbons was done using gas chromatography equipped with FID. The results of physicochemical parameters were higher than the ones obtained by Eleme petrochemicals company EIA. The pH values of soils from the study area were moderately acidic; the electrical conductivity indicates a non-saline soil in the various locations. All the %TOC values were within the limit recommended by Brady for agricultural soils except in location 5 where a slightly higher value was obtained. The total nitrogen values varied from very low to high. The soils across the six locations showed a coarse textured soil. The value for available phosphorous varied from 0.119 – 0.200%. The levels of total petroleum hydrocarbon in some locations were within the DPR recommended limit of 50mg/kg while others were higher than the DPR limit.