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Environmental implications of bitumen seep induced pollution in parts of Ogun state, southwestern Nigeria

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Abstract

This study investigates the hydrocarbon and toxic metal contents of the bitumen-impacted soil, sediment and water samples within the Ogun block aspect of Nigerian bitumen belt. The aim was to determine the level of induced pollution on the immediate environments directly under the influence of the oil tar seepage. The results indicate exceptionally high concentration of both total hydrocarbon and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in all types of samples in varying degrees (i.e., sediment > soil > water) when compared to the standard values. These obtained values depict pollution which may be induced on animals and humans interacting with each of these micro environments. It is anticipated that proper management of the bitumen seeps in the study areas at present and effective planning of its exploitation in future will reduce to the barest minimum all its diverse but serious effects on the biota.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

    Adewole Michael Gbadebo

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  1. Adewole Michael Gbadebo
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Correspondence to Adewole Michael Gbadebo.

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Gbadebo, A.M. Environmental implications of bitumen seep induced pollution in parts of Ogun state, southwestern Nigeria. Environ Earth Sci 59, 1507–1514 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0136-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-009-0136-z

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