ASSESSMENT OF EFFECT OF SANDMINING ACTIVITIES ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND METAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SURFACE WATER OF WARRI RIVER, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Sandmining, Warri River, Physicochemical properties, Metals, Water quality indexAbstract
The Warri River in Niger Delta, Nigeria is one River in which indiscriminate and commercial sand mining activities have been taking place in recent times. Thus, this study was carried out to assess the effect of sand mining activities on physicochemical properties and metal concentrations of surface water of the Warri River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from six sand mining sites along the Warri River between January and December, 2016. The physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations of water samples were determined following the methods of the American Public Health Association. The result showed that electrical conductivity, turbidity, total suspended solids, total solids, salinity, total hardness, biochemical oxygen demand and the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni and Fe) exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum permissible values. Temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, sulphate, nitrate, chloride, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and Zn were within their respective WHO maximum permissible values. Health risk assessment indicated no adverse non-carcinogenic risk, whereas there was a potential carcinogenic risk associated with metals in the water while quality index values indicate unsuitability of the water for drinking purposes
References
Akinlua, A., Ajayi, T. R. and Adeleke, B. B. (2007). Organic and inorganic geochemistry of Northwestern Niger Delta oils. Geochemical Journal, 41: 271-281.
Akinsola, J. B. (2007) Identification of Metalloporphyrins and Determination of Heavy Metals in some Nigerian Fossil Fuels, M.Sc. Dissertation, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 20-59
Boyd, R.J. (2004) Trace metals in coal from Collinsville, Bowen Basin, Australia. A PhD thesis, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, pp 231.
Bryan G.W. and Langston W.J. (1992) Bioavailability, Accumulation and Effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom Estuaries: A review. Environmental Pollution, 76: 89-131
Carter, J. D., Barber, W., Tait, E. A. and Jones, G. P. (1963) The Geology of Parts of Adamawa, Bauchi and Borno Provinces in North Eastern Nigeria. Bulletin Geological Survey Nigeria, 30: 1 – 108.
Famuboni, A. D. (1996) Maximizing Exploration of Nigeria’s Coal Reserves. In: Famuboni, A. D. (Eds). Nigerian Coals: A Resource for Energy and Investments, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, Nigeria, pp. 39 – 62.
Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Regulations (1991) Abuja: S. I .8 effluent and S. I. 9 pollution abatement in industries and facilities generating wastes.
Frinkelman, R.B. (1993) Trace and minor elements in coal, in: Engel, M.H., and Macko, S.A. (Eds.). Organic Geochemistry. Plenum press, NY, pp 603.
Goodarzi, F. Sanei, H. Stasiuk, L.D. Sadeghi H.B and Reyes, J.(2006) Int J.Coal Geol., 65, 35–50.
Jauro, A., Chigozie, A. A., Nasirudeen, M. B. (2008a) Determination of Selected Metals in Coal Samples from Lafia-obi and Chikila. Science World Journal, 3: 79- 81.
Jauro, A.; Agho, M. O.; Abayeh, O. J.; Obaje, N. G. and Abubakar, M. B. (2008b) Petrographic studies and coking properties of Lamza, Chikila and Lafia-Obi coals of the Benue trough. Nigerian Journal of Mining and Geology, 44: 11-19
Kalenga, P.M., Cukrowska, E., Tutu, H. and Chimuka, L. (2011) Characterization of South African coals for Metals, Inorganic and Organic Sulphur Compounds. S. Afr. J. Chem., 64, 254-262.
Kevin, T.P. and Lewis, A.O. (1995) An Introduction to Global Environment. Issue Soutlege publisher, London. Pp 148.
Liu, D., Yang, Q., Tang, D., Kang, X. and Huang, W. (2001) Geochemistry of Sulphur and Elements in Coals from Antaibao Surface Mine, Pingshuo, Shanxi Province, China International Journal of Coal Geology, 46: 521-64.
Obaje, N. G. and Hamza, H. (2000) Liquid Hydrocarbon Source-rock Potential of Mid-Cretaceous Coals and Coal Measures in the Middle Benue Trough of Nigeria. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 89:130– 139.
Obaje, N. G., Ligouis, B. and Abba, S. I. (1994) Petrographic Composition and Depositional Environments of Cretaceous Coals and Coal Measures in the Middle Benue Trough of Nigeria. International Journal of Coal Geology, 26: 233 – 260.
Onojake, M. C., Oforka, N. C. and OsujI, L. C. (2011) Trace Metals Geochemistry of Crude Oils from Umutu/Bomu Fields in South West Niger Delta Nigeria. Energy and Environment Research, 1: 139- 146.
Speight, J. G. (2005) Handbook of Coal Analysis. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. pp 238.
Usman, F. (2015) Geochemical Investigation of Coal Samples From Middle And Upper Benue Troughs Using Heavy Metals and Biomarkers, M.Sc. Dissertation, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, 61- 63.
USPHS (2000) Toxicological profile on CD-ROM. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Wagner, N.J and Hlatshwago, B. (2005) Occurance of potentially hazardous trace elements in five Highveld coals, South Africa. Int. J. Coal Geol, 63, 228–246
Willis, J.P. (1983) Trace element studies on south African coals and fly ash. Geological Society of South Africa, 7, 129–135.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
