Quality characteristics of rainwater around an industrial area in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Doris Fovwe Ogeleka Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Ogechi Nmai Department of Production Programming and Quality Control, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, Ekpan, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Oghenekohwiroro Edjere Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Angela Nwudu Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Felix Ebodaghe Okieimen University of Benin, Geo-Environmental and Climate Change Adaptation Research Centre, Benin City, Nigeria

Keywords:

Rainwater, Physico-chemistry, Heavy metals, Quality indices

Abstract

Petroleum crude oil refining to generate useful products releases noxious gases such as sulphur (IV) oxide, nitrogen (IV) oxide and carbon (IV) oxide, which dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain. This research was to ascertain the impact of the refining process on the rainwater quality in a peri-urban area where residents depend on precipitation for domestic use, including cooking. Rainwater samples were collected from some locations in close proximity to a refinery in Warri and characterized in terms of physico-chemical parameters, and heavy metals proximal contents using methods recommended by America Public Health Association. For the period under study, results revealed that pH was relatively low in all the rainwater samples. Mean pH values obtained ranged from 4.20 ± 0.17 to 6.24 ± 0.04. Turbidity values ranged between 2.00 ± 0.20 NTU and 12.5 ± 0.83 NTU. Although the levels of heavy metals notably, lead, copper, cadmium and zinc were low, total iron was slightly significant in some samples. Water with low pH values and high heavy metal concentrations could adversely affect water bodies, aquatic life, soils, plants and cause lots of aesthetic damage to structures. Similarly, possible percolations into underground water aquifers can affect humans that use such water, including rainwater for most domestic uses.

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Published

2018-03-21

How to Cite

Fovwe Ogeleka, D. ., Nmai, O. ., Edjere, O. ., Nwudu, A., & Ebodaghe Okieimen, F. . (2018). Quality characteristics of rainwater around an industrial area in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Scientific Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 7(3), 762-773. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjpas/article/view/35

Issue

Section

Environmental Sciences

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