Determination of the Levels of Physicochemical Parameters in Surface Water Within the Vicinity of Oil Production Facilities During Wet and Dry Seasons in Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria

Eluozo Grace Ijeoma; Prof. C.N Ngobili

doi:10.56201/rjpst.vol.9.no8.2026.pg141.152

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Determination of the Levels of Physicochemical Parameters in Surface Water Within the Vicinity of Oil Production Facilities During Wet and Dry Seasons in Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria

Eluozo Grace Ijeoma, Prof. C.N Ngobili

Abstract

Petroleum exploration and production can modify the physicochemical characteristics of receiving aquatic systems through produced-water discharges, hydrocarbon releases, runoff, waste disposal and other operational activities. This study determined selected physicochemical parameters in surface water within the vicinity of oil production facilities during wet and dry seasons in Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria. Surface-water samples were collected from Obrikom River (Onosi Ognu), Onosi Okpasimini and a control station over six months comprising three wet-season and three dry-season months. Parameters analysed included pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids , total suspended solids , dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand and total hydrocarbon content , among others. The results showed pronounced spatial and seasonal variability. Temperature ranged from 26.85 ± 0.20 to 30.55 ± 0.33 °C, while turbidity ranged from 9.10 ± 0.12 to 285.40 ± 5.10 NTU. TDS ranged from 210.50 ± 4.30 to 3069 ± 5.10 mg/L, TSS from 7.30 ± 5.01 to 325.50 ± 6.20 mg/L, and dissolved oxygen from 2.61 ± 0.30 to 5.60 ± 0.18 mg/L. BOD5 ranged from 25.15 ± 0.31 to 32.10 ± 0.25 mg/L, while COD ranged from 12.50 ± 0.13 to 31.50 ± 0.25 mg/L. Electrical conductivity ranged from 290.60 ± 4.30 to 6114 ± 5.10 μS/cm and salinity from 90.50 ± 3.20 to 2380.50 ± 12.40 mg/L. Several parameters, particularly turbidity, TSS, BOD5, COD, THC, conductivity, TDS and salinity at selected locations and seasons, exceeded the regulatory benchmarks adopted in the thesis. The results demonstrate substantial deterioration of surface-water quality around the petroleum-producing environment and indicate that both petroleum-related inputs and seasonal hydrological processes influence water quality. Continuous seasonal monitoring, improved management of produced water and stronger control of petroleum- related discharges are recommended.

Keywords

physicochemical parameters; surface water; petroleum production; seasonal variation; Omoku; Niger Delta; water quality.

References

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Determination of the Levels of Physicochemical Parameters in Surface Water Within the Vicinity of Oil Production Facilities During Wet and Dry Seasons in Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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