ABSTRACT
Investigation of the effects of oil Spill on water quality in Emadadja was
carried out by identifying a spill affected area (Emadadja) as the study area,
while geographically similar but unaffected area (Egini) served as control.
Water samples were collected from both surface (streams) and underground
(hand- dug wells) sources. Some physico-chemical properties that reflect water
quality such as pH value, total hydrocarbon, dissolved oxygen, turbidity,
exchangeable cations (Ca+,Mg2+, Na+, K+) anions (NO3-, SO4
2-,PO4
2-, Cl-) Heavy
metals (Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr),Biological Oxygen demand (BOD),Dissolved Oxygen(
DO),Chemical Oxygen demand (COD), Dissolved Carbon dioxide (CO2)were
determined using standard methods and results from the two areas were
compared. There was a significant increase in temperature average of (29.38 in
surface, 27.62 in underground) decrease in pH average of (3.27 in surface
samples, and 3.58 in underground), low dissolved oxygen of (1.63mg/l in
surface samples, 2.50mg/l in underground). increased BOD of (14.69mg/l in
surface, 12.46mg/l underground), increased CO2(17.86mg/l in surface and
15.33mg/l in underground) and increased THC content of (1.86in surface and
1.57in underground samples) of the oil spill affected study area of Emadadja
when compared with the WHO standards and the non affected control area of
Egini. Low nitrate values were observed at the study area. This may be due to
utilization by the species in absence of sufficient oxygen. The presence of heavy
metals and pollutants were lowest in the underground water samples than the
surface water samples. Lead showed typical build up in the surface water
samples from the study area. Test of the null hypothesis using ANOVA showed
that there is significant difference in water quality between the study and control
areas for both the surface and groundwater samples. Analysis of questionnaire
on causes of oil spill revealed that old/ rusted pipes contribute 59%, sabotage ,
18%, pressure on pipe, 21%, and superstitious belief 2%.The results indicate
that oil spill has adversely affected the water quality and aquatic live in
Emadadja. The study therefore, recommends adequate maintenance of the
facilities especially replacement of old/rusted pipes, provision of potable supply
of water, and the inclusion of Emadadja in the ongoing remediation technique
for ecological cleaning in the Niger Delta States.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE
CHAPTER ONE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study. 1
1.2. Statement of the Problem 5
1.3. Aim/Objectives of the Study 6
1. 4. Research Questions 6
1.5. Research Hypotheses 7
1.6 .Scope of the Study 7
1.7. Limitations of the Study 7
1.8. Significance of the Study 8
1.9. Study Area 9
ix
CHAPTER TWO
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK/LITERATURE REVIEW Page
2.1Conceptual Framework 16
2.2. Literature Review 22
2.2.1 Oil Spillage 22
2.2.2. Incidences of Oil Spills 23
2.2.3 Causes of Oil Spills 25
2.2.4. Effects of Oil Spillage 29
2.2.5 Oil Spillage Control 34
2.2.5.1; In-Situ Burning 35
2.2.5.2. Biological Remediation 37
2.2.6. Prevention of Oil Spillage 38
2.2.7. Management of Oil Spill in Nigeria 40
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY 48
3.1. Research Design 48
3.2. Data needs 49
3.2.1. Primary Data 50
3.2.2. Secondary Data 50
3.2.3. Laboratory Investigations 53
3.3. Description of Statistics used to Test Hypothesis 58
x
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF DATA AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
4.1. Presentation of Data 61
4.2. Physico-chemical Analysis 62
4.2.1. Questionaire 72
4.3. Test of Hypotheses 93
4.4. Discussion on Findings 96
45.0. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations. 106
REFERENCES 112
APPENDIXES 119
xi
LIST OF FIGURES Page
Fig. 1.1 Map of Nigeria Showing Delta State. 13
Fig. 1.2 Map of Delta State Showing Udu Local Govt. Area. 14
Fig.1.3.Map of Udu Local Govt.AreaShowing Study and Control Area 15
Fig. 2.1. Stages in the Implementing a TQEM System. 20
Fig.4.1.Bar- chart showing Number of Quarters in Emadadja. 70
Fig. 4.2.Bar- chart showing Age of Respondents sampled in Emadadja. 71
Fig.4.3. Bar- chart showing Marital Status of Respondents sampled
in Emadadja. 72
Fig.4.4. Bar- chart showing Sex of Respondents sampled in Emadadja. 72
Fig. 4.5 Bar- chart showing Educational Qualification of Respondents
sampled in Emadadja. 73
Fig.4.6. Bar- chart showing Occupation of Respondents sampled in
Emadadja. 73
Fig.4.7. Bar- chart showing Incidences of Oil Spillages in Emadadja. 74
Fig.4.8. Bar- chart showing Causes of Oil Spillages in Emadadja. 75
Fig. 4.9. Bar- chart last spills incidents in Emadadja. 76
Fig.4.10.Bar-chart severity of oil spills in Emadadja. 76
Fig.4.11. Bar -chart showing Frequency of oil spill incidents in 77
Emadadja
Fig. 4.12 Bar- chart showing Probability of oil spills occurring without 78
Interference in Emadadja.
Fig4.13Bar- chart showing Effects of oil spills on health and livelihood 78
in Emadadja.
Fig.4.14. Bar - chart showing source of water supply in Emadadja. 79
Fig.4.15. Bar-chart showing perpetrators of sabotage (pipe- line 80
Vandalism)
xii
Fig.4.16. Bar- chart showing duration of spill cleanup 81
Fig.4.17. Bar- chart showing Effect of spill on sources of water
supply. 82
Fig.4.18. Bar- chart showing perception on compensation. 83
xiii
LIST OF TABLES.
4.1. Physico- chemical result of Surface water samples in study area 60
4.2. Physico- chemical result of Surface water samples in control area 62
4.3. Physico-chemical result of Underground water samples in
study area. 63
4.4. Physico- chemical result of Underground water samples in
control area. 64
4.5. Anova Table of physical parameters of water samples of study
and Control area. 67
4.6. Anova Table of chemical parameters water samples of study
and Control area. 68
4.7. Number of questionnaire administered 71
4.8. Quarters in Emadadja. 72
4. 9 Age of Respondents sampled in Emadadja. 73
4.10. Marital Status of Respondents sampled in Emadadja 74
4.11. Sex of Respondents sampled in Emadadja. 75
4.12. Educational Qualification of Respondents sampled in Emadadja 76
4.13. Occupation of Respondents sampled in Emadadja 77
4.14. Incidences of Oil Spillages in Emadadja. 78
4.15. Causes of Oil Spillages in Emadadja. 79
4.16. last spills incidents in Emadadja. 80
4.17. Severity of oil spills in Emadadja. 81
4.18. Frequency of oil spill incidents 82
4.19. Probability of oil spills occurring without Interference in Emadadja. 83
4.20. Effects of oil spills on health and livelihood in Emadadja. 84
4.21. Source of water supply in Emadadja. 85
xiv
4.22. Perpetrators of sabotage (pipe- line vandalism) 86
4.23. Duration of spill cleanup 87
4.24. Effect of spill on sources of water supply. 88
4.25. Perceptions on compensation. 89
xv
LIST OF APPENDIXES.
Questionnaires. 112
Analysis of variance (Anova) mean table. 115
1
CHAPTER ONE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study.
The effect of oil resource extraction on the environment of the Niger Delta
has been very glaring in terms of its negative effect on the region. Inya (1997),
stated that “oil exploration and exploitation have over the last four decades
impacted disastrously on the socio-physical environment of the Niger Delta oilbearing
communities, massively threatening the subsistent peasant economy and
the environment and hence the entire livelihood and basic survival of the people”
Suffice to note that, while oil extraction has caused negative socio-economic and
environmental problems in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian State has benefited
immensely from petroleum since it was discovered in commercial quantities in
1956. The Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N) (1981) annual report stated as follows -
Oil which was first discovered in 1956 and first exported in 1958 accounted for
more than 90% of Nigeria’s export by value and about 80% of government revenue
as at December 31, 1981.The overall contribution of the oil sector to the national
economy also grew from an insignificant 0.1% in 1959 to 87% in
1976”(Inya,1997)
2
The Coastal zone is richly endowed with a variety of minerals. The most important
of these are oil and gas. Since the first shipment of Crude oil in 1958, there has
been an upsurge in oil exploration activities in Nigeria. These have led to the
discovery of numerous oil fields and subsequently to the development of various
oil terminals (Ozobia, 1998).The proven oil reserves of the country are
approximately 30 billion barrels and it produces approximately 2 million barrels
per day (bpd) of crude oil. With a per capita gross national product of only $320 a
year, Nigeria is one of the poorest countries of the world today (World Bank,
2005). The discovery of oil in 1956 transformed Nigeria’s political economy and it
has earned around $340 billon over the past 40 years. The country’s dependence on
oil revenue is immense. It accounts for 90- 95 % of export revenue, over 90% of
foreign exchange earnings and 80% of oil revenue (World Bank, 2005), (Inya,
1997).
There is no doubt that the Nigerian oil industry has affected the country in a
variety of ways at the same time. On the one hand, it has fashioned a remarkable
economic landscape for the country. However, on the negative side, petroleum
exploration and production also have adverse effects on fishing and farming which
are the traditional means of livelihood of the people of the oil producing
communities in the Niger Delta. If the oil is considered in view of its enormous
contributions to foreign exchange earning, it has achieved a remarkable success.
3
On the other scale, when considered in respect of its negative impact on the socioeconomic
life and the environment of the immediate oil bearing local communities,
and its inhabitants, it has left a balance sheet of ecological and socio-physical
disaster (Achi, 2003).
There are many sources of environmental damage in the Delta, but clearly a major
source of environmental and social degradation is the oil industry. Leaks from old,
corroded and poorly maintained pipelines and installations including both
producing and abandoned offshore shore rigs, oil in produced water, refinery
effluent and toxic sludge, toxic drillings mud, tank and tanker hold washing, oil in
gas flares, blow outs and other spills occur continuously. Many of these spills are
now being caused by the many disenfranchised residents.
Socioeconomic impacts were found to be severe as well. Pollution impacts heavily
on the health of humans and resources such as agricultural land, fresh water,
mangroves, fish and shellfish. Perceived oil company indifference to human
suffering from oil spills, gas flaring and the activities affecting the environment
and people has caused many serious problems. The current situation is very
delicate as the communities are bitter, angry and distrust the oil companies. Even
the oldest communities such as Oloibiri the first oil village (1958) see little or no
benefits. There is high unemployment (over 50% of youths) fishing-a basic
employment and income source is being damaged by pollution and illegal near
4
shore fishing by International Trawlers. This makes the Delta one of the 5 most
petroleum polluted environments in the world (Obot etal, 2006).
Oil spillage has a major impact on the ecosystem into which it is released.
Immense tracts of the mangrove forests, which are especially susceptible to oil
(this is mainly because it is stored in the soil and re-released annually with
inundation), have been destroyed. An estimated 5 to 10% of Nigerian mangrove
ecosystems have been wiped out either by settlement or oil. The rainforest which
previously occupied some 7,400 km² of land has disappeared as well (Human
Right watch, 1999).
Spills in populated areas often spread out over a wide area, taking out crops and
aquacultures through contamination of the groundwater and soils, for the
consumption of dissolved oxygen by bacteria feeding on the spilled hydrocarbons
also contributes to the death of fishes. In agricultural communities, often a year's
supply of food can be destroyed, because of the careless oil operations in the Delta,
which make the environment to increasingly uninhabitable (Achi, 2003).
5
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Oil development occurred in the Niger Delta without a comprehensive, strategic
plan which would have protected its natural resources. More than four decades of
oil exploration and production activities have left a severely degraded environment
in Niger Delta oil region of southern Nigeria. Exploration activities in this region
over the past four decades have not employed best available technological
practices. Emadadja is one of such areas.
Oil spills are mainly caused by equipment failure, operational errors, and leaks
from obsolete pipes or willful damage – (that is sabotage). Many of the oil
facilities and operations are located within sensitive habitats – including areas vital
to fish breedi
| 1 - 5 of 96 Reviews |