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Contamination potential of tar sand exploitation in the western Niger-Delta of Nigeria: baseline studies

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Abstract

Exploitation of the tar sands in Ondo State in the Niger Delta is likely to result in some environmental contamination and adversely affect the living conditions of the farmers and fishermen in the area. Three wells were established where samples were taken at 1, 2 and 3 m depth. Although no hydrocarbon contamination was detected in the water from the surface and boreholes, saline intrusion was recorded. This study produces a baseline against which future contamination can be monitored so that preventative measures can be taken to mitigate the effects.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the funding by the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria and the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo, ON, Canada, for the supply of ground water sampling vials and ice packs and the testing of samples in their organic geochemistry laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Oluwapelumi O. Ojuri & Samuel A. Ola

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Cananda

    David L. Rudolph & Jim F. Barker

Authors
  1. Oluwapelumi O. Ojuri
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  2. Samuel A. Ola
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  3. David L. Rudolph
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  4. Jim F. Barker
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Correspondence to Oluwapelumi O. Ojuri.

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Ojuri, O.O., Ola, S.A., Rudolph, D.L. et al. Contamination potential of tar sand exploitation in the western Niger-Delta of Nigeria: baseline studies. Bull Eng Geol Environ 69, 119–128 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-009-0239-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-009-0239-5

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