comparative assessment of borehole water qualities from oil … · · 2015-09-07state, there is...

J. Chem. Eng. Chem. Res. Vol. 2, No. 8, 2015, pp. 744-754 Received: June 25, 2015; Published: August 25, 2015

Journal of Chemical Engineering

and Chemistry Research

Comparative Assessment of Borehole Water Qualities from Oil-Producing and Non-Oil Producing Areas of Oron, Nigeria

Umunnakwe Johnbosco Emeka, Nnaji Austin Osondu and Uruh Ugada Uruh

Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri Imo State, Nigeria

Corresponding author: Umunnakwe Johnbosco Emeka ([email protected])

Abstract: This study examined and compared the levels of borehole water quality variables in oil producing and non-oil producing locations of Oron, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria during the month of October, 2014.The purpose was to show if the oil production activities impacted the borehole water qualities in its location and non-oil producing areas through groundwater migration. The methods involved sampling of borehole water from six different stations in the study area and analyses of the physiochemical and micro-biological variables. Parameters were measured both in situ and in the laboratory. Standard methods were adopted for field and laboratory studies. The result of the laboratory analysis of the borehole water revealed that the mean concentration of trace metal parameters such as cadmium, nickel, arsenic, lead and iron were above the WHO acceptable limit of drinking water for the two study locations. The concentrations of Hydrocarbon, Oil and Total Organic Carbon exceeded the standard limits of WHO in both the oil producing and non-oil producing sampled locations. This might be as a result of spill oil and contaminants that migrated into the groundwater during drilling because of serious oil exploration activities going on in the study area. The findings showed that there was no much difference in the values of analysed parameters of borehole water samples in the oil and non-oil producing areas under study. This could be as a result of non-point source of pollution by runoff and seepage from oil producing locations to the non-oil producing areas as the study area is situated along the coastal plain and coastal plains are porous and therefore permit even permeation of water rapidly along the water table. Also, the presence of bacteria such as Escherichia spp and total coliforms in all the water samples further confirmed the water from borehole sources in Oron was polluted. The borehole water in the study area is unfit for human consumption without further treatment. It is therefore suggested that constant monitoring and strict enforcement of existing environmental legislations by the relevant agencies be observed.

Key words: Borehole water, groundwater, analysis, parameters, oil and non-oil producing.

1. Introduction

Water is the most important resource to man apart

from air; and man survives longer without food than

without water [1]. Water is necessary for sustainable

economic development of an area, and in the urban

areas is made available through pipe-borne water,

bore-hole water and hand-dug wells. Groundwater is

of major importance and is intensively exploited for

private, domestic and industrial uses. Water is the

basis of an-all ecological resource for flora and fauna of

our earth and a fundamental necessity for human life

[2]. Water is an indispensible component of human

body and it is reasonable to verify the quality of

drinking water due to its large impacts on our health

[2]. The World Health Organization estimated that

80% of all diseases are in some way connected to

contaminated water [3]. Groundwater provides water

to rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands helping to

maintain water level and sustain the ecosystem [4].

The presence of salt in ground water deteriorates or

improves the quality of water depending on the ions


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such as Ca2+ and Na2+ which can lead to improvement

on the taste of water [5]. Akwa Ibom State, one of the

leading producers of the Nigeria’s crude oil is

presently experiencing an increase in human and

industrial activities resulting in an increase in the rate

of potable water abstraction which might lead to

encroachment of seawater into the coastal aquifer [6].

Saline intrusion into coastal aquifers has become a

major concern because it constitutes the commonest of

all the pollutants transfer to freshwater. In Akwa Ibom

State, there is no single local government area without

borehole water in both oil producing area and non-oil

producing areas with concerns bordering on their

quality.

Borehole water serves as the major source of

drinking water in the local population of Nigeria, since

only very few can afford and rely on purified and

treated bottled water for consumption [7]. Oron is a

fast growing town in Akwa Ibom State with much

human activities going on in some localities such as

Ebughu, Ibaka, Enwang, Iquita, Eyoabasi and

Eyetong that constitute our sampling locations. The

Nigerian government has invested heavily in urban

and rural water supply schemes, including the

construction of dams, sinking of boreholes and so on.

Despite this effort, inadequate water supply remains

one of the major problems. In Akwa Ibom State, this

has led to the proliferation of boreholes and

sub-sequent reliance of greater number of people on

this source of water supply. In some of these areas,

there are inadequate toilet facilities; hence, most of the

populace passes faeces indiscriminately affecting the

quality or purity of the water sources. In some cases,

users do not see the need to depend on the borehole,

but prefer to source potable water at nearby streams

and lakes or other sources.

Boreholes are just dug anywhere without reference

to standards. Inadequate quality water assessment may

not reveal the level of these materials on the water

source, which may be detrimental to our health. When

such water is taken, the users are subjected to

suffering from untold diseases ranging from typhoid

fever, cholera, dysentery, river blindness and many

other diseases, to mention but few, which have been

recorded over the years in the State.

Akwa Ibom State has the coastal plain sands as the

main geological structure. The coastal plains are

porous and therefore permit percolation of water

rapidly to the water table. Boreholes are sunk to tap

water from this water table which may be polluted due

to human activities, particularly in the urban centres. It

is therefore instructive that borehole water quality

might differ between oil producing non-oil producing

areas.

It has been observed that crude oil extraction has

caused the pollution of river basin and surrounding

land, the destruction of subsistence crop and ground

water pollution.

A critical look at the movement of water and its

velocity shows that the effect of oil spillage could be

felt in areas without oil production facilities because

when there’s a spill in one area, it naturally passes to

the other area since the movement of spilled polluted

water is not directed in one way traffic. Oil spill that

make their way into groundwater can have devastating

effect that linger for many years, since spill that

cannot be seen are often costly and difficult to control.

It is imperative to note that some factors or

combination of factors that may guarantee successful

drilling processes may not guarantee the movement or

transportation of these products.

A study observed that in rural areas of Nigeria, the

sources of water supply for domestic use are not of

standard quality [8]. Supplementary supplies almost

invariably come from doubtful surface sources and

uncased or shallow wells [9]. The bulk of water

supplies for small scale industrial and commercial

establishments are also obtained from the public water

supplies [10]. These are usually metered and charged

for, at rates that vary from one state to another.

The data situation according to a study [8] with

respect to Nigeria hydrology and water resources


746

should be improved. It has also been observed that our

knowledge of the quantity, distribution and quality of

Nigeria’s water resources is still far from satisfactory

[11]. There is therefore an urgent need to embark on a

training programmed to produce the necessary skilled

manpower in hydrology, water resources, and allied

fields.

2. Study Area

Oron is strategically located at the southern corner

of Akwa Ibom State, in south-south geopolitical zone

of Nigeria. It is located between latitudes 5°3″ N and

7°56″ E, and longitudes 5.050° N and 7.933° E. It is

sandwiched between Eket, Esit Eket, Nsit Ubium, Nsit

Atai, Uruan, Ibeno and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

Oron is surrounded by some communities such as Idu,

Odot, Enwang, Ikang, Eket among others which are

shown in the figure below (Fig. 1).

Oron is in the tropical region and has a uniformly

high temperature all the year round. The two main

seasons are the dry which spans between October and

April and wet season which starts around May and ends

in September. The climate is tropical in Oron and there

is significant rainfall in Oron in most parts of the year.

There is only a short dry season and it is not very

effective. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is

Am. The average annual temperature in Oron is

26.3 °C. About 2,878 mm of precipitation falls

annually. There are also two prevailing winds, the

South-West onshore winds which bring heavy rains

and the North- East trade winds blowing across the

Sahara Desert, which brings in the dry season. The

warmest month of the year is March with an average

temperature of 27.5 °C. In August, the average

temperature is 25.2 °C. It is the lowest average

temperature of the whole year. The temperature data

of the study area is shown in the figure below (Fig. 2).

The difference in precipitation between the driest

month and the wettest month is 406 mm. The average

temperatures vary during the year by 2.3 °C. Akwa

Ibom State is within the Niger Delta basin and shares

boundaries with Cross River state, Rivers state and

Abia state of Nigeria as shown in the figure below

(Fig. 3).

Fig. 1 Map of Oron with adjoining communities (Source: Google Map, 2015).


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Fig. 2 Temperature Data Graph. (Source: Esin, 2007).

Fig. 3 Map of Nigeria showing the location of Akwa Ibom state. (Source: Esin, 2007).

Oron is on the lower basin with a seaport, and its

water drains to the Atlantic Ocean. The predominant

occupation of the local inhabitants is fishing and

farming [12]. Oron is found in the flood plain of South

Eastern Nigeria, with the land mainly intersected by

numerous streams and tributaries flowing into Cross

River. The entire coastline stretches from Uya Oro to

Udung Uko. The vegetation is characterized by three

easily distinguishable types namely, the saline water

swamp forest, the freshwater swamp and the rainforest.


748

In terms of land use, Oron is rich in oil and natural

gas with most of its oil reserves in the off-shore. Oron

is presently rated as having one of the highest supplies

of natural gas deposits in sub-Saharan Africa with large

amounts of untapped natural gas and oil at Ukpata,

Udung Okung, and Edik Ekpu. The region is extremely

fertile and is known for its topographical Oil Palm Belt,

tropical rainforest, swamps, and beaches. The

mangrove forests also provide timber and raw materials

for medicinal purposes [13]. There are also deposits of

solid minerals such as iron, free silica or glass sand and

gravel. Sea foods such as grayfish, snipers, oyster and

periwinkle abound richly in all coastal areas. In terms

of population, Oron, fondly called “oro nation” by its

indigene comprises of five local Government Areas

(LGA) in Akwa Ibom state which include; Urue

Offong, Udung Uko, Mbo, Okobo, Oron. It is the third

largest ethnic group in the state after Uyo and Eket.

It,s population is about 250,000 according to the last

population figure by National population commission

census figure [14].

Studies have observed that, with the teaming

population of Nigeria and the increasing growth of

industrialization in most cities and the exodus of

workers from rural areas to the cities globally; a

baseline study of the aquatic environment becomes

necessary for the understanding of the physiochemical

variables of the water [5].

3. Methodology

3.1 Sampling Techniques

Reconnaissance survey of borehole water sites in oil

and non-oil producing areas in the study area were

carried out. Six borehole water samples were collected

randomly for analysis; three from each sampling area.

They include borehole water samples collected from

Ebughu, Ibaka, and Enwang being oil producing sites

as well as Eyetong, Iquita and Eyoabasi being non-oil

producing sites. These are shown in the table below

(Table 1).

3.2 Analysis of Physiochemical and Biological

Variables of Borehole Water

3.2.1 Physicochemical Analysis

Borehole water samples were collected in sterilized

plastic containers with cover, labelled with date and

taken to Etalyx laboratory, Oron for analysis. Prior to

been transported in-situ measurements using Horiba

multi water Sampler-Model U50 were determined for

temperature, conductivity, salinity, turbidity. The pH

value was obtained using pH meters within one hour

of collection. Most chemical parameters of the

samples were analyzed at Etalyx laboratory, Oron

using Gallenkamp Flame Analyzer (model FGA 330c)

and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (model PYE

INICAM SP 2900) respectively. Multiprobe meter

(Metler Toledo-Model in Lab 730) was used to

determine sulphates concentrations. Titrimetric

method was used in determining the physiochemical

properties of the borehole water for some parameters

such as alkalinity and chlorides. The pH value was

obtained using pH meters to determine the level of

acidity and by implication organic pollution. The

values obtained from the analyses were compared with

World Health Organization (W.H.O) standard.

The analytical procedures employed in the analysis

of some parameters in the borehole water samples are

briefly described below:

Table 1 Borehole water sample location areas.

S/N Oil producing area Borehole water sample taken Non-oil producing area Borehole water sample taken

1 Ebughu 1 Eyetong 1

2 Ibaka 1 Iquita 1

3 Enwang 1 Eyoabasi 1

Total Number of Samples 3 3

Source: Researcher’s fieldwork (2014).


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3.2.1 Physical Parameters using Multiprobe Meter

The borehole water quality was assessed in situ

using handheld probes (Horiba multi water

Sampler-Model U50) for some parameters such as

temperature, salinity, conductivity and turbidity. The

panel was preset to the parameter for measurement

and the probe dipped into beaker containing the

borehole water samples until a constant figure was

taken and recorded.

3.2.2 Determination of Total Suspended Solid, TSS

(APHA 2540 D)

Membrane filter paper was placed in wash glass

(petri dish) and dried in an oven at 105 °C for 1hour

and later on transferred to a dessicator for 30 mins.

The filtering apparatus and suction pump were

assembled. The membrane filter paper was weighed

and placed into the funnel of filtering

apparatus.100-150 mL of the borehole water sample

was measured, weighed through the weighed

membrane filter paper, carefully transferred with the

residue into the same wash glass and dried in an oven

for 1hr.The membrane filter paper and residue were

transferred to a dessicator to cool for 30 mins, washed

and weighed. This drying cycle was repeated until a

constant weight was attained. The TSS was calculated

as:

Mg/L = (A-B) × 1000/Sample Vol.

where A = weight of filter paper + residue; B = weight

of filter paper.

3.2.3 Determination of Total Dissolved Solid

(Ademoroti, 1996)

A clean glass dish was dried at 103 °C to 105 °C in

an oven until constant weight was achieved, cooled in

a desiccators and weighed. 100 mL of filtrated water

samples were evaporated in a water bath followed by

drying in an oven 103 °C to 105 °C for about an hour.

These were cooled in desiccators, weighed again and

the increase in weight recorded.

3.2.4 Determination of Metals (A.O.C. 1984)

Determination of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Nickel,

Iron, were carried out by direct aspiration of the water

samples into an acetylene flame but some were

determined by directed aspiration of water sample into

a flame analyser. Before determination of any metal in

the sample, a calibration curve of the metal was

prepared using aliquots from standard stock solution

of the metals in the sample. Alternatively, the

concentrations of the metals in the samples were

directly related to the concentration of the calibration

curve where dilution of the samples was carried out;

the concentration of the metals was multiplied by the

dilution factor. The stock solutions (usually of 1000

mg/L working standards) were stored in plastic bottles

instead of glassware to prevent contamination and

absorption.

3.2.5 Determination of Alkalinity

Titrimetric method was used for the determination

of Alkalinity by standardising 10 mL of 0.05 M

Na2CO3 with 0.01 M HCL for the titration to get an

initial titre value after an initial colour change using

methyl orange and phenolphtalene as indicators. The

titration was repeated for blank until a colour change.

The total alkalinity was reported as CaCO3 in mg/L.

3.3 Analyses of Biological Properties

3.3.1 Material Sterilisation

All materials were sterilised before use. Dry heat

sterilisation in oven at 200 °C for 1 hour was

employed for petri dishes, glassware etc while sterile

materials such as agar media, forceps were sterilised

in autoclave or pressure cooker at 121 °C at 15 psi for

15 mins.

3.3.2 Preparation of Culture Media

The media was weighed out and poured into a

labelled conical flask, dissolved in distilled water

using glass rod. The flask was plugged with a non

absorbent cotton wool and covered with aluminium

foil, autoclaved at 121 °C for 15 mins. The autoclave

was allowed to cool for 20 minutes and the media

poured into sterile plates, set on a flat surface and

stored at 4 °C.


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3.4 Diluent Preparation

A quater-strenght ringers solution was prepared by

dissolving one tablet of ringers solution in 500 mL of

distilled water. 9 mL of the solution was poured into

screw capped diluents bottles and autoclaved at 121 °C

for 15 mins allowed to cool before use.

3.5 Sample Preparation and Analysis

Water sample was collected in sterile plastic bottles

and stored at 4 °C until analysed. The sample was

mixed properly with a mechanical shaker and serial

dilutions of the sample made. The spread plate

technique was used for analysis by firstly allowing the

pre-poured agar to dry for few minutes at 60 in an

incubator for 20 minutes to allow the surface to dry.

Media preparation and culturing were used in

determining the variation in the biological properties

of water sample in order to ascertain the coli forms

and plate count content of the sample. Also, values

obtained from the analyses were compared with the

WHO standard values

3.6 Total Counts of Heterotrophic Microorganisms,

Bacteria and Fungi

MacConkey Agar, Nutrient Agar, Lactose Broth

with evaporated Milk were used in the isolation of

bacteria while Chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum

antibiotic was added to Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA)

for the isolation of fungi. Aliquots of 0.1 mL of the

serially diluted samples were plated out on the

appropriate media on sterile Petri dishes. The pour

plate technique was used. The cultures were incubated

at 37 °C for 24 hours for bacteria, and 48 hours for

room temperature.

3.7 Identification of Isolated Micro-organisms

Pure cultures of bacterial isolates were identified

according to standard procedures. Isolated fungi were

identified relying on the spores and mycelia and their

growth characteristic on the isolation medium.

4. Results and Discussions

The results of the analysis were presented in the

tables below. Table 2 showed the result of

physiochemical parameters of borehole water samples

in non-oil producing area of Oron. Table 3 showed the

result of physiochemical parameters of borehole water

samples in oil-producing area of Oron. Table 4

showed the result of Mean values table of borehole

water quality in oil and non-oil producing areas of

Oron. Table 5 showed the result of total plate count

characteristics of borehole water quality in

oil-producing and non-oil producing area.

The mean concentration of lead and iron in the

results were above the limit acceptable for drinking

water for the two study locations. Lead ranged

between 0.2 mg/L-15.0 mg/L for non-oil producing

area and 1.0 mg/L-10.1 mg/L for oil producing area

respectively. The high level of lead is attributed to the

deposition of pollutants from gaseous emissions

possibly by the gas flaring which was later absorbed

and percolated into the ground water. High levels of

lead above the maximum permitted limits affect the

mental development of infants and toxic to the central

nervous nervous system [15]. Iron values (9.16 mg/L,

6.33 mg/L) were above allowable limits of the WHO

standard .Similar high values of iron were detected in

other study areas of Niger Delta [16, 17]. Also the

high level of iron could be as a result of some scrap,

metallic and lateric iron within the soil particle which

leaches into the water table. The concentrations of

Hydrocarbon, oil and Total Organic Carbon exceeded

the standard limits of WHO in both the oil producing

and non-oil producing sampled locations. This may be

as a result of spill oil that percolated into the

groundwater during drilling because of serious oil

exploration activities going on in the study area.

Petroleum often pollutes water bodies in the form of

oil resulting from oil spills. They occur as s result of

fractured pipeline, off-shore drilling operations,

careless handling of equipment, spillage from

overflowing storage tank among others.


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Table 2 Result of physiochemical parameters of borehole water samples in non-oil producing area of Oron.

S/N Parameters Eyetong Iquita Eyoabasi Mean WHO FMENV

1 Temperature (°C) 26.20 28.40 27.70 27.43 25-28

2 pH 8.0 8.0 7.8 7.93 6.5-9.2 6.5-9.2

3 Turbidity NTU 0.76 1.30 0.90 0.99 5 25

4 TSS (mg/L) 7.0 3.0 1.0 3.67 28 28

5 TDS (mg/L) 22 20 28 23.3 500 500

6 CL (mg/L) 10.0 10.2 0.8 7.0 250 250

7 Alkalinity (mg/L) 85.2 90.0 80.0 85.07 100 100

8 Oil (mg/L) 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.23 0.01 0.05

9 HCO3- (mg/L) 40.5 55.0 52.3 49.27 25 25

10 Hydrocarbon (mg/L) 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.23 0.01 0.05

11 Conductivity (µS/cm) 101 60 120 93.67 250 250

12 Salinity 18.78 17.99 17.81 18.19 < 81 -

13 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.015 0.011 0.011 0.12 0.003 -

14 Nickel (mg/L) 0.023 0.041 0.016 0.027 0.02 -

15 Arsenic (mg/L) 0.002 0.001 0.002 0.0017 0.01 -

16 Iron (mg/L) 10.0 0,2 0.3 3.5 0.2 1.0

17 Lead (mg/L) 15.0 0.2 0.3 5.16 0.01 -

18 TOC (mg/L) 5.03 5.11 5.05 5.06 5 -

19 Sulphate (mg/L) 265.3 241.7 200.5 235.83 200 200-400

20 Aluminum (mg/L) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 1.0 -


Table 3 Result of physiochemical parameters of borehole water samples in oil-producing area of Oron.

S/N Parameters Ebughu Ibaka Enwang Mean WHO FMENV

1 Temperature (°C) 28.04 27.20 26.10 27.11 25-28 -

2 pH 7.46 7.60 8.0 7.69 6.5-9.2 6.5-9.2

3 Turbidity NTU 1.00 0.83 0.70 0.84 5 25

4 TSS (mg/L) 3.0 9.0 2.0 4.97 28 28

5 TDS (mg/L) 29 24.4 22.1 37.75 500 10

6 CL- (mg/L) 14.2 12.9 10.2 12.4 250 250

7 Alkalinity (mg/L) 95.0 89.7 93.5 92.73 100 100

8 Oil & mineral (mg/L) 0.18 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.01 0.05

9 HCO3- (mg/L) 50.5 52.3 65.5 56.03 25 25

10 Hydrocarbon (mg/L) 0.18 0.19 0.19 0.187 0.01 0.05

11 Conductivity (µS/cm) 189.0 100.0 201.0 163 250 250

12 Salinity 18.30 16.78 17.81 18.63 < 81 -

13 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.008 0.006 0.006 0.003 -

14 Nickel (mg/L) 0.024 0.031 0.031 0.029 0.02 -

15 Arsenic (mg/L) 0.003 0.001 0.002 0.002 0.01 -

16 Iron (mg/L) 10.0 2.5 15.0 9.16 0.2 1.0

17 Lead (mg/L) 1.0 10.1 2.0 4.36 0.01 -

18 TOC (mg/L) 6.7 7.01 6.89 6.87 5 -

19 Sulphate (mg/L) 271.4 288.7 249.0 269.7 200 200-400

20 Aluminium (mg/L) 0.02 0,01 0.01 0.013 1.0 -



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Table 4 Mean values table of borehole water quality in oil and non-oil producing areas of Oron.

S/N Parameters Average non-oil producing area

Average oil producing area

Mean WHO FMENV

1 Temperature (°C) 27.43 27.11 27.27 25-28 -

2 pH 7.93 7.69 7.81 6.5-9.2 6.5-9.2

3 Turbidity NTU 0.99 0.84 0.91 5 25

4 TSS (mg/L) 3.67 4.97 4.32 28 l 28

5 TDS (mg/L) 23.3 37.75 30.53 500 10

6 CL- (mg/L) 7.0 12.4 9.7 250 250

7 Alkalinity (mg/L) 85.07 92.73 88.90 100 100

8 Oil and mineral (mg/L) 0.26 0.187 0.22 0.01 0.05

9 HCO3- (mg/L) 49.27 56.03 52.65 25 25

10 Hydrocarbon (mg/L) 0.23 0.187 0.208 0.01 0.05

11 Conductivity (µS/cm) 93.67 163 128.3 250 250

12 Salinity 18.19 18.63 18.41 < 81 -

13 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.12 0.006 0.063 0.003 -

14 Nickel (mg/L) 0.027 0.029 0.028 0.02 -

15 Arsenic (mg/L) 0.0017 0.002 0.001 0.01 -

16 Iron (mg/L) 3.5 9.16 6.33 0.2 1.0

17 Lead (mg/L) 5.16 4.36 4.76 0.01 -

18 TOC (mg/L) 5.06 6.87 6.00 5 -

19 Sulphate (mg/L) 245.76 269.7 257.73 200 200-400

20 Aluminum (mg/L) 0.01 0.013 0.0115 1.0 -


Table 5 Result of total plate count characteristics of borehole water quality in oil-producing and non-oil producing area.

S/N Location Oil-producing area

Who limit Bacteria isolated Bacteria load bac/Gram Remarks

1 Ebughu Proteus Spp. 0.25 × 102 Bac/Gram Non pathogenic Nil in 1 Ml

2 Ibaka Escherichia Spp. 0.10 × 103 Bac/Gram Non pathogenic Nil in 1 Ml

3 Enwang Staphylococcus Spp. Coliforms Spp.

0.1 × 103 Bac/Gram; 0.4 × 104 Bac/Gram

Non pathogenic Nil in 1 Ml

Non-oil producing area

1 Eyetong Bacillus Spp. 0.45 × 103 Bac/Gram Pathogenic Nil in 1 Ml

2 Iquita Coliforms 0.5 × 105 Bac/Gram Pathogenic Nil in 1 Ml

3 Eyoabasi Streptococcus Staphylococcus Spp. Coliforms

0.1 × 103 Bac/Gram 0.2 × 104 Bac/Gram

Pathogenic Nil in 1 Ml

Source: Researcher’s Fieldwork (2014). Normal range 104-105 bac/gram.

The high concentration of sulphate from the results

could be attributed to the level of combustion in

sulphur containing hydrocarbon fuel in the region. The

oxidation of sulphur containing compound discharged

into the groundwater during precipitation may

increase its acidity.

The results also revealed that the values of

temperature and pH in the non-oil producing area was

higher than that of the oil producing area, but they

both were within W.H.O standard limits. Conductivity

values in the oil producing area were higher than that

of the non-oil producing area but are within the WHO

acceptable standard. This is an indication of the

presence of more ionic substances, salts in the oil

producing area [18]. Conductivity depends on the

quantity of dissolved salts present in a water body and

is approximately proportional to the TDS content [19].

This could be affected by several environmental

factors which include climate, the local biota, bedrock,

geology and other anthropogenic factors.


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The Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and Total

Suspended Solid (TSS) mean values were higher in oil

producing area is than that of non-oil producing area.

Generally, the amount of dissolved solids in a sample

of water is a measure of the salinity of the water [20].

The concentration of dissolved solids is an important

indicator of the usefulness of water for various

applications. However, the levels of the dissolved

solids were within WHO acceptable standard.

Similarly, turbidity values from the results showed

that the oil and non-oil producing areas were within

the acceptable limit of WHO standard.

From the results, it was revealed that Cadmium

values in both the oil and non-oil producing areas

were higher than the WHO maximum concentration

limit of 0.03 mg/L. Elevated values of cadmium is

toxic to the human kidney [21]. Also, the value of

Nickel in the oil producing area was higher than that

of non-oil producing area. Comparing the value with

that of WHO allowable standard, the value exceeded

the WHO and FEPA (now FMEnv) allowable

concentration limit of 0.02 mg/L. Nickel is always

associated with industrialisation and the health impact

is possibly carcinogenic [21]. The Chloride value in

the oil producing area is higher than that of non-oil

producing area; and was within the WHO acceptable

and allowable concentration limit of 200 mg/L and

600 mg/L.

The results of the micro-biological analyses showed

that all borehole water samples analysed contain

different bacteria as isolated from each water sample.

Coliforms organisms were found in virtually all the

samples of borehole water. There is also a spatial

variation in the bacteria in water quality between the

classified areas. The result of the microbial analysis

reveals a spatial variations in the concentration of the

bacteria isolated from the water samples for both oil

and non-oil producing areas. Although the

concentration of most of the coli from bacteria is less

than the allowable limit, the presence of opportunistic

bacteria at any level (whether high or low) has

harmful effect on water quality. This is because

bacteria at any concentration level should not be

tolerable at all in public water supply. The implication

being that high incidence of diseases such as typhoid,

dysentery, cholera, and hyper theses in the study area

could be attributed to the consumption of this source

of water.

5. Conclusion

The findings regarding the deterioration in quality

of borehole water in the oil and non oil producing

areas of Oron are indications of the negative impact of

oil production activities on the study area. The result

of the laboratory analysis of the borehole water

revealed that the mean concentration of trace metal

parameters such as cadmium, nickel, arsenic, lead and

iron were above the WHO acceptable limit of drinking

water for the two study locations. The concentrations

of hydrocarbon, oil and total organic carbon exceeded

the standard limits of WHO in both the oil producing

and non-oil producing sampled locations. This might

be as a result of spill oil and contaminants that

migrated into the groundwater during drilling because

of serious oil exploration activities going on in the

study area. The results of the analysis showed minor

variations in the values of the parameters determined

at the different areas, though there was no definite

pattern. Also, the presence of bacteria such as

Escherichia spp. and total coliforms in all the water

samples further confirmed the water from borehole

sources in Oron was polluted.

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