IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RJPST )

E-ISSN 2579-0536
P-ISSN 2695-2696
VOL. 11 NO. 6 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijgem.vol.11.no6.2025.pg107.123

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Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Water Soluble Fractions of Automative Gas Oil (AGO), and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Fresh and Brackish Water Habitat

Peter Obinna Okwuego, Omoh Theodore Oshokha, Ifeoma Pepertual Oragwu

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Abstract

Petroleum-derived hydrocarbons are considered one of the main pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, leading to physical and chemical changes due to the dissolution of water-soluble components of petroleum. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of water-soluble fractions (WSFs) of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The heavy metal content, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content of the WSFs were determined using standard procedures. The WSFs were found to be acidic, with mean pH values of 5.50±0.02 and 6.10±0.02 for AGO and PMS in brackish water, respectively, and 5.30±0.02 and 5.80±0.02 for AGO and PMS in freshwater, respectively. The electrical conductivity (EC) values were 28611.50±0.50 µS/cm for AGO and 28609.00±0.50 µS/cm for PMS in brackish water, and 198.00±0.56 µS/cm for AGO and 196.00±0.56 µS/cm for PMS in freshwater. The total dissolved solids (TDS) content was less than 8.00 mg/L in all samples. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were 5.00±0.01 mg/L and 6.00±0.01 mg/L for AGO and PMS in brackish water, and 4.60±0.01 mg/L and 4.40±0.01 mg/L for AGO and PMS in freshwater, respectively. DO was significantly higher in WSFs of PMS compared to AGO in both freshwater and brackish water. In contrast, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was significantly higher in WSFs of AGO than in WSFs of PMS in both habitats. The WSFs of AGO and PMS also contained cations and anions such as Ca²?, Mg²?, K?, Na?, HCO??, SO?²?, and NO??. Heavy metals such as Ni, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Cd were also present. Routine monitoring of the physical and chemical properties of ponds, streams, and rivers in oil-bearing communities was recommended to help mitigate the impacts of petroleum-derived pollutants.

keywords:

hydrocarbons, heavy metals, dissolved oxygen, cations, anions.

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