Accumulation of hydrocarbons and some heavy metal contents on sediments and plants from crude oil polluted mangrove ecosystem in Okrika, Nigeria
Department of crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B 5323, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(03), 298–306
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.3.0999
Publication history:
Received on 30 September 2022; revised on 13 February 2023; accepted on 16 February 2023
Abstract:
Composite soil sediments samples were randomly collected from three polluted sites in Okrika local Government Area of Rivers State. Old Isakka (01), Imonitanbie (1M) and AgiahiAma (AA). The samples were investigated to examine the effects of crude oil pollution and heavy metals status of soil sediments and plant tissue samples from mangrove ecosystems.The soil sediments were collected at a distance of 0, 20, 40 meters and a control sample taken from distance of 140 meters away from the polluted sites near the river with a spade from each of the locations. Six samples were taken from each location (four soil sediments and two plant samples) totaling twelve sediments and six plant samples. The samples were analyzed for: Total hydrocarbon contents (THC), and heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Zn) using conventional methods of analysis. Result revealed a significant (P<0.05) increase in THC in polluted samples over control in the three locations studied. The concentration of THC in the locations decrease in order of 01>1M>AA, the pollution decreased with increase in distance. The three locations were highly polluted with hydrocarbon thus posing a threat to aquatic organisms and human that consume the sea food. THC exceeded the alert and intervention limit for sensitive and less sensitive soils. Significant (P<0.05) difference was observed in Cd concentration in control (D) over the polluted (A, B, C) in all the locations meaning that crude oil may not be responsible for the Cd in the sediments. Cadmium concentration was below the permissible limit for soil. Pb was significantly higher in polluted sediment than control in all the locations. The concentration of Pb decreases in the order of 01>1M>AA. Value of zinc was significantly higher in control than polluted. The order of increase was 01>1M>AA. Both Zinc and Pb were below the permissible limit. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in accumulation of THC, and Pb in plant tissues in polluted than control while the converse was observed in both Zn and Cd in the three locations studied. Generally, Old Isakka (01) has higher amount of pollution in both the sediments and plant tissues than Imonitanbie and Agiahi-Ama.
Keywords:
THC; Heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd); soil; Plant samples; Isaka communities
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