International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Dorcas Ufuoma. Adams, IBE. Kenneth. Abara
Abstract: Illegal (Artisanal) refining of petroleum products in Niger Delta creeks has been a great concern over the years as it has debilitating effects on the environment. This study aimed at determining the effects of artisanal products on the geochemical status of the soil of Ijalla and Okere-Urhobo community. To achieve this, 10 soil samples each were collected from both communities. Back titration was used to determine the TOC in the samples while n-hexane was used to extract the oil and grease from measured samples. Biomarkers of AHCs were detected using GC-FID after the extracts were collected by the soxhlet extraction method using dichloromethane as the solvent for extraction and then fractionated into AHCs, Aromatics Hydrocarbon and NSOs using Column Chromatography. Elution of fractions in the column was achieved using n- hexane, Dichloromethane and chloroform of AHCs, Aromatics and NSOs respectively. Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in both sites shows that more AHCs were present in IJalla sites than Okere-Urhobo. A pristane/phytane ratio that is near to 1 in the context of the okere-urhobo assumed non-petroleum soil indicates that the organic matter contained in the soil is probably of mixed origin while some samples of Ijalla has a CPI close to 1 suggests minimal microbial degradation and a predominantly terrestrial source. The TOC results shows that all soil samples have POC greater than 0.2%, which indicates that both soil has other source carbon. In comparison, Ijalla site is much higher than that of Okere-Urhobo. On analysis of O%G, the samples from Ijalla have an average concentration of oil and grease of 5440mg/kg with soil JA having 7460mg/kg, which far exceeds the DPR, (Department of Pesticides Regulation), California, 2007 states the maximum permissible concentration of oil and grease is 1000mg/kg in an average of 30cm depths.
