Heavy Metals and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Surface Water of Esi River, Western Niger Delta

Abstract

Water samples from Esi river were analyzed for hydrocarbons and heavy metals to assess the impact of petroleum prospecting activities on the environment of the Western Niger Delta. Important results obtain are for O and G (11600±8600 μg L-1), TPH (4270±3000 μg L-1), Pb (39±33 μg L-1), Cd (2.4±3.1 μg L-1), Cr (42±17 μg L-1), Cu (16.1±7.4 μg L-1) and Zn (107±7.9 μg L-1), showing high concentrations of O and G and TPH. The nickel-vanadium ratio of 1.71 revealed that the measured oil residue had its source from oil drilled in the area. The concentration of Pb was also high relative to Nigerian and International guideline values for drinking water. The water is polluted and not fit for drinking.