Surface and Groundwater Quality in Some Oil Field Communities in the Niger Delta: Implications for Domestic Use and Building Construction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine surface and groundwater quality in some communities in the Niger Delta and to evaluate the implications for domestic use and building construction. Surface water samples were collected along the Nun River and Taylor creek in the greater Gbaran area; groundwater samples were collected from seven communities in that Gbarain and Ekpetiama kingdoms of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The surface water turbidity values (24.18 to 130.42 NTU) were above the Nigerian drinking water limits. TDS values were low (27-32 mg/L); pH (7.0 to 7.5), conductivity (54.00 to 63.00 µS/cm), nitrate (0.09-0.61 mg/L). The measured values of conductivity, pH and TDS and nitrate fell within the NIS limits for drinking water in Nigeria. About 50% of the surface water samples had values of iron higher than the Nigerian standard for drinking water. Most of the samples gave values of chromium within the limit for drinking, with a few exceptions. pH of groundwater (6.3-7.8) mostly fell within the Nigerian drinking water limits (6.5-8.5). Mean electrical conductivity values of groundwater was 129.67 µS/cm, the TDS values (51.00 to 81.00 mg/L). The turbidity values ranged from <0.01 NTU to 38.11 NTU. Heavy metals concentrations were generally low; copper values ranged from <0.001 to 0.407 mg/L, chromium (0.020-0.059 mg/L), iron (0. 162 to 0.558 mg/L). The measured physicochemical variables of surface water and groundwater from the study area showed water quality values that were generally within the Nigerian standards for drinking water, apart from turbidity, iron and chromium in both surface and groundwater. However, all the measured parameters showed valued that are within acceptable limits for construction.