Determination of heavy metals concentration in waste water of Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC)

Abstract

Waste water from some industries contain high levels of contaminant such as colloid, suspended and dissolved minerals. Heavy metals have negative impact on all forms of life in the environment. Crude oil refining makes use of large volume of water, whence generate large quantities of waste water which must comply with stringent environmental guidelines. To this end, several treatment methods have been explored in order to keep contaminants levels within limits. This study investigated the presence of heavy metals in discharged waste water effluents from the premises of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company LTD into the Ubeji creek. The analysis was carried out using the Flame Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry method. Standard solution used for calibration were prepared for the five heavy metals analysed. Results showed average concentrations of chromium was within the acceptable limit. The overall results show that effluent water from WRPC has concentrations of heavy metals that is within the prescribed acceptable limits for discharge into the environment.