Assessment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent-Related Surface Water Pollution in Otuoke,Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Soberekon Ilemi Jennifer; Meregini-Ikechukwu Precious

doi:10.56201/rjpst.vol.9.no8.2026.pg132.140

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Assessment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent-Related Surface Water Pollution in Otuoke,Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Soberekon Ilemi Jennifer, Meregini-Ikechukwu Precious

Abstract

Palm oil mill effluent is an important source of environmental pollution because its discharge can alter water quality and introduce potentially toxic metals into aquatic systems. However, POME-associated surface-water contamination in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, remains insufficiently characterized. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics and concentrations of selected potentially toxic metals in surface waters associated with POME to provide evidence for environmental toxicology and public-health protection. Water samples were collected in triplicate from three locations during POME production and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids , turbidity, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) using standard laboratory methods and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Marked spatial differences were observed. POME Highness Road recorded the lowest pH (4.79) and DO (1.05 mg/L), but the highest EC (577 μS/cm), TDS (289 mg/L), turbidity (22.74 NTU), Fe (16.85 mg/L), and Pb (0.26 mg/L). Cadmium increased from 0.04 to 0.07 mg/L across the locations, while Zn ranged from 0.32–0.39 mg/L and Cu from 0.04–0.10 mg/L. The findings demonstrate localized deterioration of water quality and occurrence of potentially toxic metals associated with POME. Environmental regulators, palm-oil processors, and host communities should prioritize effective effluent treatment, routine multi-season monitoring, and exposure-risk assessment to reduce potential ecological and public-health consequences.

References

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Assessment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent-Related Surface Water Pollution in Otuoke,Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

References

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