Environmental Effects of Spent Lubricating Oil on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in Orji Mechanic Village Imo State

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of spent oil lubricants on soil physical and chemical properties. Twelve (12) different soil samples were collected from the auto-mechanic villages and from the FUTO university agricultural land that served as the control. Two (2) samples were collected from these three points 5031.114N 7002.703E, 50 31.165 N 702.670E and5023.35N 6059.176E at profile of 0-15cm and 15-30cm. Twenty three (23) different parameters were analyzed for the soils such as pH, bulk density, total organic carbon, particle size distribution, heavy metals of Ni, Cu, Zn, Ar, Cd, Hg and Pb. Standard methods were employed in the course of the analysis such as the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrometer model FS 240 Varian, Jewniary, digital pH meter for pH measurement, Refractometer model E- Line R.ATC- Range order code 44-803 for salinity measurements and titrimetry methods for the remaining parameters. All the parameters tested was in good condition except for the soil pH and concentrations of heavy metals which were more significant as pH of the auto-mechanic soils were acidic in the range of 4.3- 5.0 in comparison with the control with mean value 5.6. Heavy metals were higher and richer in auto mechanic soils than in the control and their concentration decreases in this trend Cu 0.940> Hg 0.211> Ni 0.093> Zn 0.051> Pb 0.021> Cd 0.015 >Ar 0.003; Hg 1.385> Cu 0.853> Ni 0.079> Zn 0.041> Cd 0.04> Pb 0.034>Ar 0.004 for the soil auto- mechanic soil 1 and 2. Ar had zero values in the soils of the control. Pearson Correlation coefficient was computed in testing the hypothesis using SPSS v. 20 where significant positive correlations were obtained at values 0.957 and 0.99. P value 0.00; 0.874 and 0.999, P 0.00; 0.997 and 0.912, P 0.000; 0.997 and 0.918 P 0.000 all at 0.01 level of significance. The null hypothesis was rejected on the basis of the significant correlations for relationships between the use of lubricants and physico chemical variables, physico chemical variables and depths of the soil across the profile, use of oil lubricants and soil particle size distribution, use and disposal of oil lubricants and soil texture. Recommendations were made like adherence to proper disposal of auto mechanic wastes, use and enforcement of Environmental Management Plan in auto- mechanic workshop villages and remediation measures to correct the concentration of parameters as identified using phyto- remediation for a sustainable soil and environmental management in the vicinities of the workshop.

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