Environmental Effect of Gas Flaring on the Soil pH Value in Some Communities in Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents the environmental effects of gas flaring on pH values of the soil and rain water in some areas in Niger Delta. Different soil samples and rain water at various proximities from the gas flaring locations were taken. The samples collected were evaluated to determine the pH values of rain-water and that of the soil in the area under investigation. The result obtained shows a remarkable trend as the values of the pH of the soil and that of the rain water increased as we moved away from the gas flaring stations. The pH actually changed from extreme acidic (3.5 - 4.4) to moderate alkaline (7.9 - 8.4) as we moved away from the flaring points. The pH values tend to normalize at distances of more than 2 km away from most of the gas flaring points. The low pH values imply that there is formation of acid rain which has dangerous consequences on the environment and on the plants and animals. The resultant health implications of extreme acidity in the rain water and consequently in the soil was also discussed.