E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management

E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol. 4 (2) pp. 0171-0179, March 2013; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7466

Ground water pollution in Okpai and Beneku, Ndokwa-east local government area, delta state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study has assessed the probable contamination of ground water resources in Okpai and Beneku area of Delta State, Nigeria. The ground water samples were collected in the dry season (December, January and February) and wet season (June, July and August) seasons from Okpai (experimental site) and Beneku (control site). The water samples were analyzed for Physico -Chemical and biological parameters using standard procedures. The results show that both Okpai and Beneku ground water contained high amounts of magnesium (1.173mg/l in the dry season and 1.277mg/l in the wet season) and iron (0.036mg/l in the dry and 0.021mg/l in the wet) for the former while cadmium (0.002mg/l in the dry and 0.005mg/l in the wet), iron (0.676mg/l in the dry and 1.062mg/l in the wet), magnesium (1.21mg/l in the dry and 1.437mg/l in the wet) and lead (0.004mg/l in the dry and 0.005mg/l in the wet) for the latter. Apart from these specific cases, other values corresponded to the approved maximum permissible level (i.e. maximum permissible limits for drinking water set by NAFDAC, USEPA and WHO). The ground waters therefore, were more impacted upon by chemical parameters, than physical and biological parameters. In conclusion, this study recommends for the Bio-Physico-Chemical assessment extension to other new areas of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Keywords: Gas flaring, Oil spillage, Ground water, Pollution