Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences 4(5): 570-575, 2012
ISSN: 2041-0492
© Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2012
Submitted: March 19, 2012
Accepted: April 06, 2012
Published: May 15, 2012
Environmental Groundwater Monitoring of Jones Creek Field,
Niger Delta, Nigeria
Felix C. Ugbe
Department of Geology, Delta State University, Abraka
Abstract: Groundwater monitoring exercise was carried out in Jones Creek field of Western Niger Delta. The
aim was to ascertain the groundwater status of the area where oil exploration has been carried out for over four
decades. Ten boreholes were drilled to capture the ground water flow direction. Both in situ and laboratory
analyses were conducted on the water samples to ascertain whether or not there is contamination. The status
of the groundwater indicates that it meets WHO maximum permissible standards acceptable for domestic
purposes. The water is mildly acidic due to the gas flaring associated with exploitation activities. The water is
devoid of contamination of oil and grease but has appreciably high iron content thereby requiring treatment to
enhance groundwater quality for domestic purposes. The observed high TDS may be due to the incursion of
saline water into the phreatic zone. The study establishes the fact that oil exploration and exploitation
companies have over the years been adopting environmentally friendly strategies to conserve the prolific aquifer
of the area.
Keywords: Environmental pollution, groundwater, Niger delta, remediation
different studies in oil producing creeks in the Niger
Delta. These researchers have focused on petroleum
related pollution on the surface water of the various
creeks (Ogamba et al., 2004; Abowei and George, 2009;
Peekae et al., 2010). So far no study has concentrated on
the Jones Creek and particularly on the groundwater
condition as a result of possible petroleum pollution
arising from petroleum exploitation.
The aim of the study therefore is to provide a baseline
scientific database for effective monitoring to early detect
any possible contamination of the ground water system.
This will enable adequate and effective remediation
methods to be put in place to forestall massive pollution
of the prolific groundwater resources within the study
area.
The area in the Jones creek which lies within
longitude 4º15!E to 4º50!E and Latitude 7º45! to 7º50!N.
It is located in the ecosystem within the western part of
Niger Delta (Fig. 1).
The Niger Delta basin presents a well known
geological setting that supports petroleum exploration and
production activities. The basin bears a composite
sequence of Eocene-Recent clastic sediments of sands,
silts and clay/shale deposit in a regressive offlap fashion
that could attain a maximum thickness of over 3000 m
(Short and Stauble, 1967; Avbovbo, 1978).
INTRODUCTION
Environmental pollution can be described as man’s
destructive assault (fallout of advancement in science and
technology) on/in the environment through which
undesirable substance are introduced, causing significant
and equally undesirable changes in the environment
(Leton and Omotosho, 2004).
The over 40 years of petroleum exploration and
production activities in the prolific field, of Niger Delta
may have resulted in ground water contamination in the
relatively fragile Niger Delta eco-systems. Various
activities such as dredging, flowstation upgrade, drilling
and pipeline/well head replacement have the potential of
impacting negatively on the potability of the groundwater
system in the region.
In Nigeria, Department of Petroleum Resources
(DPR) was setup to carry out specific oversight function
on the oil producing companies. They are to ensure that
petroleum industries operators do not degrade and or
pollute the environment in the course of their operations.
They also enforce the cleanup and restoration of oil spills
and “impacted” environment to acceptable levels.
However, these functions of DPR cannot be properly
carried out without periodic appraisal of groundwater
conditions of the area. This can be achieved through
systematic field studies, sample collections, analyses of
these samples and interpretation of the results obtained.
Research Planning Institute (1985), have established
control criteria and standard against petroleum related
pollution. Since then various researchers have carried out
METHODOLOGY
Five boreholes were drilled to a depth of 5 m in
February 2011 around the area where there are pipelines
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Res. J. Environ. Earth. Sci., 4(5): 570-575, 2012
Fig. 1: Map of Niger delta showing the study area
and flow station in the study area. Later these boreholes
were flushed thoroughly before obtaining samples. Five
other boreholes were drilled in December 2011. All the
boreholes were located to capture the ground water flow
direction.
Two water samples were collected from each of the
boreholes and properly preserved for laboratory analysis.
was first calibrated using sodium sulphite as zero solution
and then calibrated against the air in the atmosphere.
Physico-chemical analysis of parameters: The samples
were analyzed using APHA recommended methods;
C
Insitu analysis: Insitu measurements were carried out for
the ground water collected. Unstable field parameters
namely pH, conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS),
temperature and dissolved oxygen were analyzed in the
field and recorded.
C
C
pH: Measurement of the pH was done by using HACH
pH-meter which was precalibrated on the field by using
standard buffers.
Temperature: This was determined by means of
thermometer calibrated 0.2ºC units from 0-100ºC.
C
Conductivity and TDS: These parameters were
determined by using HACH conductivity and TDS meter.
C
Dissolved oxygen: The dissolved oxygen was determined
by using HACH dissolved oxygen meter. The instrument
571
Salinity: Salinity as chloride was determined using
Mohr’s method as described in API-RP-45-48
Oil and grease: Oil and grease in the sample was
determined using DPR recommendation method APIRP-45.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS): Total suspended
solid were determined by gravimetric analysis. It
involve the filtration of well mixed liquor (200 mL)
a sample through a dried and pre-weighed millipore
filter paper, using vacuum pump. The filter paper was
then dried at 105ºC to a constant weight. The
difference in weight of the filter paper represents the
TSS.
Turbidity: The samples were determined using the
HACH turbidity as described in APHA (1992) 214.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The
biochemical oxygen demand was determined using
dilution method prescribed by APHA (1992) 507.
Res. J. Environ. Earth. Sci., 4(5): 570-575, 2012
Table 1: Physiochemical characteristics of water
pH
Temp
Cond.
C0
C
:s/cm
BH1
5.5
27.6
3333
BH2
5.2
27.5
3435
BH3
5.6
27.6
2935
BH4
5.7
27.5
3349
BH5
6.1
27.6
4332
BH6
6.5
28.2
2554
BH7
5.7
28.6
967
BH8
6.1
28.3
982
BH9
5.8
27.7
875
BH10
6.1
28.3
991
WHO max limit 6.5-8.5 40.0
1400
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
TDS
mg/L
1340
1743
1493
1525
2238
1277
484
491
435
496
500
Salinity
mg/L
2599
3548
1524
624
797
898
875
987
698
601
600
Turb
NTU
25
21
27
25
26
25
25
23
23
25
25
C
C
C
BOD
mg/L
3.1
4.2
4.8
5.2
5.0
4.8
5.4
4.3
5.1
5.5
10
O"G
mg/L
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
NO3
mg/L
0.0
3.6
0.0
0.1
3.5
0.2
0.1
2.2
0.6
0.1
10.0
SO4
mg/L
375
342
337
396
434
333
378
248
340
350
400
Table 2: Heavy metals results for Jones creek
Cr
Cu
Pb
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
BH1
0.02
0.010
0.02
BH2
0.02
0.020
0.05
BH3
0.23
0.010
0.04
BH4
0.02
0.020
0.02
BH5
0.03
0.020
0.03
BH6
0.04
0.010
0.01
BH7
0.05
0.010
0.07
BH8
0.02
0.010
0.13
BH9
0.03
0.010
0.06
BH10
0.01
0.020
0.14
Delection limit 0.50
0.002
0.05
(mg/10.5)
WHO max.
NA
1.5
NA
permissible limit
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): The chemical
oxygen demand was determined by method
prescribed by APHA (1992) 508.
Nitrate: Nitrate was determined by Hach DR. 4000
spectrophotometer, using cadmium reduction
method.
Sulphate: The sulphate content of the sample was
determined by turbidmetric method, (APHA, 1992)427C.
Bicarbonate: Bicarbonate was determined by
titrimetric method.
Metals: The concentration in mg/L of lead, iron,
copper, chromium and nikel in the sample were
determined after digestion by means of Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).
BTEX and PAH: The samples were dissolved in the
appropriate solvent and extracted by Gas
Chromatograph (GC).
Sample preservation: The purpose of sample
preservation is to retard biological action, retard
hydrolysis of chemical compounds and to reduce
volatility of constituents. To prevent contamination,
all sampling materials and containers were sterilized.
Samples were also properly labeled before taken to
the laboratory. Oil and grease sample were fixed with
5MH2SO4 for preservation.
COD
mg/L
345
177
570
630
780
456
172
113
120
133
HCO3
mg/L
6.1
12.2
5.4
67
8
300
5
22
28
30
Ni
mg/L
0.010
0.040
0.020
0.010
0.010
0.014
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.012
0.001
Fe
mg/L
0.35
21.65
15.61
4.32
0.36
0.03
17.03
6.23
8.15
4.12
0.01
10
1
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1 indicates the result of the test on the
Physiochemical Characteristics of groundwater units,
Table 2 shows the Heavy Metal results for Jones Creek,
Table 3 presents the Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon
Analysis of Jones Creek samples and Table 4 indicates the
BTEX analysis of Jones Creek Samples.
Figure 2 to 6 indicate the spatial variations in
physicochemical composition of the ground water in
Jones Creek.
Analytical quality control: The possible source of error
in the laboratory include lack of calibration of
equipments, errors in data reporting, lack of sensitivity of
instrument as well as contamination/degradation of
reagents. To avoid these identified sources of error the
following precautions were taken.
C
Do
mg/L
5.2
6.6
6.4
6.5
5.8
6.2
7.1
5.4
6.3
6.7
5.0
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): The total dissolved solids
in the ground water ranges from 435 mg/L in Borehole
(BH) 9 to 2238 mg/L in BH 5. Except for BH 7-10, all
other boreholes have values above the WHO maximum
permissible standard of 500 mg/L. The possible cause of
the high TDS values in BH 1-6 may be due to sea water
incursion into the boreholes during high tide.
Only analytical grade reagent and chemicals were
used in preparing reagents and standards.
The used of control material standard/certified
reference materials, spike control materials and interlaboratory test to control bias and precision and
ensure quality of results.
Compliance with sound principle of laboratory
practice and organization.
The use of analytical method that is capable of
producing data of required quality.
Temperature and pH: The temperature ranges between
27.5 to 28.6ºC and pH from 5.2 to 6.1 indicating mild
acidity. The ground water temperature is within the WHO
maximum permissible standard acceptable for domestic
purpose.
Conductivity: Electrical conductivity which is a measure
of the ionic richness of the ground water ranges between
875 :S/cm in BH 9 to 4332 :S/cm in BH 5. These values
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Res. J. Environ. Earth. Sci., 4(5): 570-575, 2012
Table 3: Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon analysis of Jones creek samples
BH1
BH2
BH3
BH4
BH5
Parameters
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
Naphthaleen
0.063
0.031
0.054
0.052
0.045
2-Methl naphthale
0.012
0.013
0.014
0.011
0.013
Acenaphtheene
0.015
0.016
0.015
0.015
0.015
Acenaphthale
0.051
0.041
0.035
0.045
0.042
Florene
0.026
0.024
0.026
0.026
0.026
Phenathrene
0.069
0.065
0.071
0.075
0.072
Anthracene
0.213
0.231
0.213
0.213
0.213
Fluoranthene
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
Pyrene
0.086
0.089
0.086
0.076
0.086
Benzo (a) antherance
0.154
0.153
0.164
0.153
0.134
Crysene
0.213
0.211
0.213
0.208
0.163
Benzo (b) flourathren
0.131
0.131
0.132
0.131
0.132
Benzo (k) flourathren
0.336
0.336
0.336
0.336
0.336
Benzo (a) pyrene
0.067
0.055
0.063
0.068
0.068
Ndeno (1, 2, 3) perlene 0.053
0.061
0.061
0.063
0.056
Benzo (a, h) anthracene 0.043
0.041
0.045
0.042
0.045
Benzo (g, h, i) perylene 0.056
0.058
0.056
0.058
0.058
Total
1.588
1.541
1.685
1.573
1.582
Table 4: BTEX analysis of Jones creek samples
BH1
BH2
BH3
Parameters
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
Benzene
ND
ND
ND
Toluene
ND
ND
ND
Ethylbenzene
ND
ND
ND
Xylene
ND
ND
ND
BH4
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
BH5
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
BH6
(mg/L)
0.054
0.016
0.015
0.046
0.026
0.075
0.213
0.000
0.084
0.161
0.213
0.131
0.336
0.068
0.061
0.0052
0.058
1.608
BH6
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
BH7
(mg/L)
0.051
0.011
0.015
0.038
0.024
0.068
0.213
0.000
0.085
0.155
0.214
0.131
0.335
0.068
0.054
0.042
0.057
1.561
BH7
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
BH8
(mg/L)
0.047
0.015
0.016
0.043
0.025
0.066
0.213
0.000
0.090
0.156
0.212
0.132
0.334
0.067
0.060
0.044
0.055
1.575
BH8
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
BH9
(mg/L)
0.038
0.014
0.015
0.052
0.026
0.072
0.213
0.000
0.088
0.158
0.215
0.131
0.337
0.065
0.062
0.051
0.056
1.593
BH9
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
BH10
(mg/L)
0.042
0.017
0.017
0.048
0.024
0.074
0.214
0.000
0.077
0.160
0.209
0.133
0.336
0.063
0.064
0.046
0.059
1.583
BH10
(mg/L)
ND
ND
ND
ND
Fig. 2: Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics of exploration borehole 1 & 2 with WHO limits
correspond to the saline water conductivity. The high
values observed in BH 1-6 corroborate the result obtained
for total dissolved solids. The high conductivity values
may be due to infiltration of saline/brackish water in the
aquifer.
below the WHO limit of 10. These low values indicate
low organic compounds in groundwater.
Turbidity: Turbidity in ground water is caused by
suspended solids and is a major determinant of
groundwater quality. The turbidity values range from 21
NTU to 27 NTU, the values are generally within the range
of WHO maximum permissible standards of 25 NTU
water for domestic purposes.
Dissolved oxygen: The Dissolved (DO) content ranges
between 5.2 in BH 1 to 6.2 in BH 6. This suggests that the
groundwater is appreciably oxygenated and indicates a
non polluted ground water status.
Oil and grease: The oil and grease contents in the
groundwater content are low with values ranging from 0.1
mg/L in BH 1 to 0.3 mg/L in BH 5. The oil and grease
Biochemical oxygen demand: The Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD) ranges between 3.1 and 5.5 which is
573
Res. J. Environ. Earth. Sci., 4(5): 570-575, 2012
Fig. 3: Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics of exploration borehole 3 & 4 with WHO
Fig. 4: Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics of exploration borehole 5 & 6 with WHO
Fig. 5: Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics of exploration borehole 7 & 8 with WHO
content is below the maximum permissible standard of 0.3
Iron recorded values ranging from 0.35 ppm in BH 1 to
21.65 ppm in BH 2 (WHO limit is 1.0). Lead is from 0.01
ppm in BH 6 to 0.14 ppm in BH 10 (WHO limit is 0.05).
The high iron content is a natural characteristics resulting
from the ground water interaction with the Benin
Formation of Niger Delta.
PAH and BTEX: The results of Poly-nuclei Aromatic
Hydrocarbon (PAH) are low while the BTEX (Benzene,
574
Res. J. Environ. Earth. Sci., 4(5): 570-575, 2012
Fig. 6: Comparison of the physico-chemical characteristics of exploration borehole 9 & 10 with WHO
Toluene, Ethyl Benzene and Xylene) were not detected in
the groundwater.
The PAH levels are below WHO maximum
permissible limit (0.005 mg/L) and may pose little or no
health risk to human life.
APHA, 1992. Standard Methods for the Examination of
Wastewater 18th Edition Washington, D. C. American
Public Health Association.
Avbovbo, A.A., 1978. Tertiary lithostratigraphy of the
Niger Delta. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bill.,
62: 295-306.
Leton, T.G. and O. Omotosho, 2004. Landfill operations
in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Eng. Geol., 73:
171-177.
Ogamba, E.N., A.C. Chinda, J.K.E. Ekweozor and
J.N. Onwuteaka, 2004. Water quality and
Phytoplankton distribution in Elechi Creek complex
of the Niger Delta. J. Nig. Env. Soc., 9(JNES)1(2):
121-130.
Peekae, S.N. and A.C. Abowei, 2010. Some physicochemical parameter of Luubara Creek.Ogoni Land
Niger Delta. Nig. Res. J. Env. Earth Sci.,
2(4): 199-287.
Research Planning Institute (RPI), 1985. Environmental
Baseline Studies for the Establishment of Control and
Criteria and Standard Against Petroleum Related
Pollution in Nigeria. Columbia South Carolina, USA.
RPI/R/84/4/ 15-17
Short, K.C. and A.J. Stauble, 1967. Outline of the
geology of Niger Delta. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol.
Bull., 51: 761-776.
CONCLUSION
The physico-chemical condition of the groundwater
within the study area is acceptable for domestic purposes
as it complies with WHO maximum permissible
standards. The groundwater is also mildly acidic without
contamination by heavy metals, oil and grease. The high
TDS may be due to the incursion of saline water into the
phreatic zone. The appreciably high iron content in some
of the boreholes may require treatment to further enhance
the groundwater quality for domestic purposes.
Finally, it is obvious that the petroleum industry
operating in this area have been adopting best practice in
oil exploitation and as such the groundwater system have
not been contaminated.
REFERENCES
Abowei, J.F.N. and A.D.I. George, 2009. Some Physicochemical characteristics of Okpoka Creek, Niger
Delta, Nigeria. Niger. Res. J. Env. Earth Sci., 1( 2 ):
45-53
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