Archives

A two – week post impact assessment of an oil tanker explosion site in Okogbe community in Rivers state
of Nigeria was carried out to ascertain the soil environmental damage. An agricultural land in same
community, in a distant outskirt from site was characterised as control. Levels of priority hydrocarbons,
PAHs and BTEX, major soil nutrients and some heavy metals were assayed. Up to 0.09 mg/l PAHs in
burnt soil were at 95% confident level significantly different from obtained levels (0.026 mg/l) for the
control soil. Marked elevated Cu, Cd and Pb were also obtained. Burnt soil biota like the earthworm,
millipede, some insects were sighted all over the site and this has agricultural implications. Results
generally indicate hydrocarbon and some heavy metals soil contamination with a harsh nutrient
condition that may be inhabitable for some microorganisms and plants to live on.
Key words: Okogbe community; Tanker explosion; Niger Delta; Heavy metals; Parched soil.