The Effects of Crude Oil Production Activities on Surface and Groundwater Quality in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The crude oil industry in Nigeria remains a major source of revenue and foreign exchange. However, oil exploration and production activities have the potential of causing a lot of distortions in the environment, affecting the ecosystems and human life. The purpose of this study is to assess the physicochemical status of surface and groundwater in Sapele, Delta State, a region that has witnessed oil exploration and production activities. In carrying out this study, water samples were collected monthly from April to September 2016 from stations 1 and 2 (perturbed locations) and station 3 (control) for analysis of physicochemical parameters including heavy metals. Samples were analyzed using standard procedures and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. At significant level of P