Riverbank Soil Research Articles

Tương quan giữa tốc độ biến dạng ngang và tốc độ biến dạng đứng của đất ven sông phường 1, thành phố Vĩnh Long, tỉnh Vĩnh Long

Horizontal deformation rate was calculated from the vertical deformation rate of riverbank soil on simple correlation; from stability calculation, horizontal deformation rate calculation, vertical deformation rate of riverbank soil, the new correlation between the horizontal and vertical deformation rates of riverbank soil in ward 1 in Vinh Long city was built.

Sources and compositional distribution of organic carbon in surface sediments from the lower Pearl River to the coastal South China Sea

AbstractThe Pearl River plays an important role in transporting terrestrial organic carbon (OC) to the South China Sea (SCS). However, the sources and compositional distribution of OC in the system are poorly understood. This study focused on delineating the sources and determining the fate of surface sedimentary OC from the Feilaixia Hydropower Station to the coastal SCS. Elemental, stable carbon/nitrogen isotope (δ13C and δ15N), and lignin‐phenol analyses have been conducted. The total OC (TOC) from the upstream sites were generally derived from vascular plants (higher C/N and and depleted δ13C) and soils. Additional input was attributed to riverine primary production (lower C/N and enriched δ13C), which was enhanced near the dam‐created reservoir. The C/N and δ13C values were not significantly different among sites in the midstream. The estuary/coastal sites witnessed hydrodynamically sorted riverine OC, which was diluted by marine primary production (lower C/N and more enriched δ13C). The lignin concentration was the highest in the upstream sites, remained relatively unchanged in the midstream sites, and decreased significantly along the estuary/coastal sites, which was corroborated by variation in TOC. A comprehensive five‐end‐member Monte Carlo simulation suggested that previous studies had underestimated the C4 plant input by 14 ± 11% and overestimated the riverbank soil input by 21 ± 17%. Thus, our study provided valuable information for more accurate source and mass balance studies of terrestrial OC transported to the SCS, which helped to further understand the carbon cycling in the large river‐ocean continuum.

TREATMENT EFFICIENCY AND COMPRESSIBILITY BEHAVIOR OF SOIL MODIFIED WITH POWDERED ACTIVATED CARBON

Riverbank filtration (RBF) systems are often used to treat surface water near rivers. The effectiveness of such systems depends heavily on the properties of the riverbank material that is used for filtering and treating the water. To improve the system’s treatment efficiency, modifications may be conducted to the riverbank soil. Altering the properties of the soil might, however, affect the stability of the riverbank. In this study, soil and water samples near Lake Chini were collected and characterized. Filtration test was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the soil in treating the water. The soil was modified by mixing it with powdered activated carbon (PAC) at varying percentage of 5 and 10%. In addition, compressibility test was carried out using a standard oedometer. Test results indicated that the soil alone was insufficient to treat the water to drinking water quality standards. Modification with activated carbon improved the water quality from Class II to Class I. However, compressibility test revealed that there were some changes to the pressure - void ratio relationship, indicating that the alteration of soil properties with the addition of activated carbon filters might affect the stability of the riverbank.

Impact of Waste Dump on Heavy Metal Pollution of Riverbank Soil and Physico-chemical Properties of River Arumangye in Doma, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Impact of Waste Dump on Heavy Metal Pollution of Riverbank Soil and Physico-chemical Properties of River Arumangye in Doma, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water, Soils and Surface Sediments of the Msunduzi River

The concentration of seven Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (namely Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Pyrene and Chrysene) were determined in 28 surface waters, 8 wastewaters, 26 soils and 26 surface sediments from the Msunduzi River, a major supply of portable water in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. Water samples were extracted using a conventional liquid-liquid extraction technique into Dichloromethane (DCM) while soils and surface sediments were extracted with an equal mixture of DCM and nhexane using the Soxhlet extraction technique. Purified extracts were analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Trace levels of PAHs were detected in some water, river bank soils and surface sediments. The concentration of PAHs was found to be comparatively higher in the soils and surface sediments than in the water. The concentration levels as well as distribution of the selected PAHs varied from season to season, however with no clear pattern. The occurrence pattern of PAHs along the river points to human-related activities as the major input sources of PAHs into Msunduzi water. Paired-up isomeric concentration ratios for surface sediments suggested pyrolysis as the major input source of PAHs, especially at sites closer to the city of Pietermaritzburg (PMB).

Dhonagoda River: Threats Investigation of River and Biodiversity for Policy Implementation

The River Dhonagoda is one of the important Rivers of Chandpur district with diverse fish biodiversity and supports livelihood for fisher’s community. The present study was conducted from January 2016 to September 2017 to determine the threats on the River Dhonagoda and fish biodiversity and to document fish species with their present conservation status both in the context of Bangladesh and global aspects. The major threats to Dhonagoda River and its fish biodiversity were found to be the illegal River encroachments, use of River bank soil, indiscriminate killing and overexploitation of fish fry and fingerling, habitat destruction, use of destructive fishing gear and methods, silt bed, water pollution and lack of proper management initiatives. A total of 56 fish species were documented belonging to 9 orders and 23 families. The most dominant order was found to be Siluriformes consisting 32% of the total fish population. Cyprinidae was found to be the richest family (21.4%). In the studied areas 15 common groups were recorded where Catfish contributes the highest percentages (32%). River-Estuary was found to be the biggest habitat for the maximum number of fishes (50%). Among the total identified fish species from the River Dhonagoda, 13 threatened fish species (19%) were recorded in which 6 species (46%) were found as Vulnerable (VU), 5 species (38%) as Endangered (EN) and 2 species (16%) as Critically Endangered (CR). To save the River and to conserve its fish biodiversity best management practices have to be adopted and strictly implemented by the proper authority.

Assessment of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentrations in few plants near Kathajodi river, Odisha, India

The present study was carried out mainly concentrate on assessment of heavy metal in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentration in the different plants near Kathajodi River. Soil and plant samples were collected along the Kathajodi river, Odisha, India. It was found that the dominance of heavy metals follows a decreasing order. The metal concentrations measured in soil at all location generally decreased in the order; Fe > Mn > Ni> Pb> Cu> Zn> Cd. Highest heavy metal concentration in river bank soil Cd (0.72±0.05 mgkg-1); Ni (3.85±0.15 mgkg-1); Cu (1.66±0.15 mgkg-1); Zn (1.54±0.16 mgkg-1); Pb (4.11±0.14 mgkg-1); Fe (142.0±1.16 mgkg-1); Mn (37.30±1.16 mgkg-1) at different site . Among all the grass species I. laxum has the higher affinity for the accumulation of Cd (0.85±0.05) followed by Zn, Pb and Cu. This study indicates that bio concentration of heavy metals in the study area show preferential Cd uptake in the plants followed by Zn, Pb and it may lead to accumulates in the exposed plant part posing risk along the food chain. This calls for immediate action to be implemented to carry out necessary environment mitigation measures for the river as it can be attributed the discharge of untreated domestic waste and effluents in the river.

A study on the soil characteristic and properties of riverbank soil samples from Sungai Perak, Kota Lama Kiri, Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia

Riverbank filtration (RBF) technology is new in Malaysia and only a few efforts have been made to understand the RBF mechanisms and processes. Soil characteristics and properties play important roles in determining the suitability of the site for the RBF application. A research has been carried out in Kota Lama Kiri, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia to identify the characteristics of the riverbank soil for different layers of the pumping well (PW) and three adjacent monitoring wells namely MW2, MW3, and MW5. Particle size distributions and hydraulic conductivities of the soils were obtained from sieve analyses and constant head permeability tests. The subsurface soils of the study site consisted of medium sand, fine sand, coarse sand and gravel but them medium sand was highest in percentage over the other types of soil. The aquifer extended down to 8 m. The highest hydraulic conductivity value for the PW was 0.91 cm/s and obtained for sample taken from 6 m deep. The highest hydraulic conductivity value for the monitoring wells was 5.03 cm/s and obtained for sample taken from 2.20 to 3.20 m of MW5. The overall well production capacity determined from the pumping test was 112.10 m3/hr.

NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN SEDIMENTS AND RIVER BANK SOIL OF KALLADA RIVER OF KERALA, SOUTH INDIA AND ASSOCIATED RADIOLOGICAL RISK.

The paper presents the activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in the sediments and river bank soil samples collected from the Kallada river environs of coastal Kerala. The radiological risks associated with these radionuclides were calculated. The samples were processed following standard procedure, and activity was counted using a high-efficiency 5″ × 5″ NaI (Tl) detector coupled to GSPEC gamma spectroscopy system. The mean values of measured activities of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in soil samples were found to be 98.1 ± 0.4, 60.3 ± 1.1 and 343.4 ± 1.8 Bq kg-1, respectively, which results in an average absorbed dose rate of 103 nGy h-1 The corresponding values for sediment samples were found to be 88.0 ± 0.4, 48.6 ± 0.9 and 423.2 ± 2.0 Bq kg-1, respectively, with a resulting absorbed dose rate of 95 nGy h-1 Radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose equivalent, the external and internal hazard indices were determined and compared with recommended limits. The results of the work provide background data on natural radioactive isotopes, which are useful in the assessment of human radiation exposure from natural environment. The accumulation of information on natural radiation is of great value for radiation protection.

A Comparative Study of Heavy Metal Concentration in Different Layers of Tannery Vicinity Soil and Near Agricultural Soil

This research was conducted to bring out the appropriate level of heavy metal contamination in soil at the site of Buriganga river bank near the Hazaribagh tannery area and the normal agricultural area to evaluate heavy metal contamination in soil due to untreated tannery effluents. AAS flame method was used to determine the concentration of Chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) in several depths of the soil. Results showed that, the heavy metal concentration in soil at the site of Buriganga river bank in the tannery vicinity and normal agricultural area significantly varies, such as Cr varies (561.71 - 31.23) mg/kg, Zn varies (158.23 - 73.5), Pb varies (70.58 - 24) and Cd varies (2.25 - 0.71) mg/kg in the river bank as well as in the normal agricultural area Cr varies (27.869 - 24.5416) mg/kg, Zn varies (134.167 - 28), Pb varies (25.76 - 22.49) and Cd varies (1.30 - 0.64) mg/kg. The study indicated that heavy metals concentration was found to be significantly higher in river bank soils than in the normal agricultural area. This metal concentration in soil is responsible for the promotion of toxicity in agricultural products. Therefore, the human health and environment are affected by these areas.

On the role of partially saturated soil strength in the stability analysis of a river embankment under steady-state and transient seepage conditions

River flood risk is considered being one of the most costly hazards in Europe and under a further major potential impact of climate change, in combination with land-use changes and water management practices, flood risk is expected to increase for many river basins. In engineering practice, the design of river embankments is usually performed using simplified approaches, considering steady-state flow conditions induced by the retained water and almost neglecting issues related to partially saturated soils, thus leading to potentially heavily over conservative results of stability analyses. To provide a realistic assessment of river bank stability conditions and to get a more accurate prediction of flood risk it is necessary to consider river bank soil behaviour at different saturation degrees in connection with transient seepage flow. A numerical study on stability conditions of a specific river embankment focusing on the partially saturated soil strength contribution is presented herein. Seepage and stability analyses have been carried out using the information collected on river Secchia flooding case study, occurred north of the city of Modena (Italy) in January 2014. Limit equilibrium method has been adopted for assessing the overall stability in steady-state and transient flow conditions. Useful indications for accounting unsaturated soil strength in similar circumstances are finally provided in the paper.

THE ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN RIVER BANK SOIL UNDER THE EFFECT OF ELECTROKINETIC-ASSISTED PHYTOREMEDIATION USING XRF AND EDX ANALYSIS

River pollution may lead to the cause of death and diseases. The cause of its pollution could due to the mobility of the hazardous or toxic element from the human activities point sources through the groundwater system, and may resulting to aheavy metal migration into the river stream system. Therefore, an agro-based remediation methods known as Electrokinetic (EK)-assisted phytoremediation was implemented in this research. This technique is versatile and economical in decontaminating heavy metal at the river bank soil area. Hence, this research was focused on investigating the difference in trace elemental concentration in riverbank soil sample between pre- and post-phytoremediation under the electrokinetic influence. The riverbank soil sample was divided into two conditions which are: 1) control (as-received) and 2) EK-assisted phytoremediation by using a tropical plant species known as Dieffenbachia spp. In this study, two stainless steel electrodes were slot in at 5.0 cm depth on both side of this particular plant. A direct current (DC) voltage of 60 V was applied on both cathode and anode electrodes to form a uniform electric field with a magnitude of 6V/cm-1 around the plant root area. This electric field was applied consistently for 4 hours per day. Within a month, the reduction of trace element composition in the riverbank soil sample for pre and post experiment were determined using a non-destructive analytical technique, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The analysis show a significant correlation of elemental concentration between pre and post experiment for the soil sample where the soil concentration tend to reduce due to the EK assisted phytoremediation effect.

Experimental hydrological studies of processes of failure of beaver dams and pond draining

Beaver dams on small rivers significantly alter their hydrological regime. Formation of maximum break discharges on small rivers and flooding of areas are one of the detrimental consequences caused by the failure of such dams. Based on our survey of 11 dams and ponds in the Vereshchaginskii district (Perm oblast), as well as on cartographic modeling of 20 ponds, the dependences of the pond basin volume on the length of the pond and the maximum height of the dam have been established, which can be used to estimate the approximate volume of these ponds. When the dam height changes from 0.5 to 3.4 m and its length changes from 5 to 50 m, the volume of the pond basin alters from 0 to 850 m3. According to the results of artificial dam failure, the following aspects have been established: the nature of simulated flood propagation, the dependence of hydrological characteristics on stages; runoff hydrographs and volumes, as well as the nature of the drained pond bed. It has also been found that the development of the closure channel in the body of dams is unlikely to take place and that erosion mainly occurs on riverbank soils. Based on calculations, it has been revealed that the quantities of natural full-scale break discharges are equal to the maximum rain flood discharge with a 10% probability of exceedance. Full-scale break discharges differ from those calculated according to the hydraulics formulas by 10 to 30%. The maximum discharge values during our experiment ranged from 50 to 500 L/s; the amount of time to empty the ponds varied from 100 to 180 min.

Massilia violacea sp. nov., isolated from riverbank soil.

A bacterial strain designated CAVIOT was isolated during the course of a study of culturable bacteria in a riverbank soil sample from Tlaxcala, Mexico. The strain was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Strain CAVIOT was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. Colonies grown on R2A agar at 28 °C were pale violet, mucoid, rounded, smooth and glossy. The strain was motile and catalase- and oxidase-positive, and maximum growth temperature was 35 °C. Strain CAVIOT was classified within the genus Massilia as its 16S rRNA gene sequence was closely related to those of Massilia umbonata LP01T (97.5 % similarity), Massilia dura 16T (97.2 %) and Massilia plicata 76T (97.1 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was Q8. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c). The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 65.0 mol% (Tm). DNA-DNA hybridization results showed values below 25 % with respect to the type strains of the closest related species. Therefore, strain CAVIOT can be differentiated from previously described species of the genus Massilia and represents a novel species, for which the name Massilia violacea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAVIOT ( = CECT 8897T = LMG 28941T).

Occallatibacter riparius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Occallatibacter savannae sp. nov., acidobacteria isolated from Namibian soils, and emended description of the family Acidobacteriaceae.

Three Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, encapsulated bacteria were isolated from a Namibian river-bank soil (strains 277T and 307) and a semiarid savannah soil (strain A2-1cT). 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses placed them within subdivision 1 of the Acidobacteria and revealed 100 % similarity between strains 277T and 307 and 98.2 % similarity between A2-1cT and the former two strains. The closest relatives with validly published names were Telmatobacter bradus, Acidicapsa borealis and Acidicapsa ligni (94.7-95.9 % similarity to the type strains). Cells of all three strains were rod-shaped and motile and divided by binary fission. Ultrastructural analyses revealed a thick cell envelope, resulting mainly from a thick periplasmic space. Colonies of strains 277T and 307 were white to cream and light pink, respectively, while strain A2-1cT displayed a bright pink colour. All three strains were aerobic, chemoheterotrophic mesophiles with a broad temperature range for growth and a moderately acidic pH optimum. Sugars and complex proteinaceous substrates were the preferred carbon and energy sources. A few polysaccharides were degraded. The major quinone in all three strains was MK-8; MK-7 occurred in strain A2-1cT as a minor compound. Major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω7c. In addition, iso-C17 : 0 occurred in significant amounts. The DNA G+C contents of strains 277T, 307 and A2-1cT were 59.6, 59.9 and 58.5 mol%, respectively. Based on these characteristics, the three isolates are assigned to two novel species of the novel genus Occallatibacter gen. nov., Occallatibacter riparius sp. nov. [type strain 277T ( = DSM 25168T = LMG 26948T) and reference strain 307 ( = DSM 25169 = LMG 26947)] and Occallatibacter savannae sp. nov. [type strain A2-1cT ( = DSM 25170T = LMG 26946T)]. Together with several other recently described taxa, the novel isolates provide the basis for an emended description of the established family Acidobacteriaceae.

A Study on the Characteristic and Properties of Riverbank Soil Samples as RBF Natural Materials from Sungai Perak, Kota Lama Kiri, Kuala Kangsar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

For a developing country such as Malaysia, riverbank/bed filtration (RBF) technology is still new and only few efforts have been made to understand the RBF mechanism and processes. Soil characteristics play important roles in determining the water quality and the ability of water to be abstracted from the wells during RBF process. A research has been carried out to identify the characteristic of riverbank soil at different layers in the pumping well (PW) borehole at Kota Lama Kiri, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia. Soil samples were collected during the development of PW for RBF application. The maximum depth of PW was 8.50 metre. The soil samples were transported to Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia and the properties were determined by a series of laboratory test. Soil particle size distribution (PSD) and hydraulic conductivity were obtained from sieve analyses and constant head test with reference to BS 1377: Part 1-9;2:1990. Laboratory results show that the value of Cu(coefficient of uniformity) for the soil samples within the borehole of PW was found to be within the range of 2.00 to 10.00 while the value of Cc(coefficient of gradation) lies in the ranges of 0.06-1.19. The One Way Analyses of Variance test was performed using Minitab statistical packages and the results indicate that the p-value was 0.996, where there was no significance difference between the mean sizes of soil samples within the PW. The hydraulic conductivity, k for PW ranges between 0.10-0.91 cm/s. Soil samples from depth 6.00-7.00 metres has the highest hydraulic conductivity, which is 0.91 cm/s. The overall well production from the pumping test was found 112.10 m3/hr.

Remobilization of radiocesium on riverine particles in seawater: The contribution of desorption to the export flux to the marine environment

We evaluated the influence of radiocesium (137Cs) desorbed from riverine particles on the export flux of dissolved 137Cs from rivers to the marine environment, where it may accumulate and become concentrated in marine biota. The samples were collected from stations along the Abukuma (December 2013), Kuji (November 2013), Naka (November 2013), and Tone (October 2013) rivers, in the catchments of which large quantities of radionuclides from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident were deposited. We estimated the extent of the desorbed fraction from riverine particles by conducting a particle–seawater partitioning and desorption experiment in which sieved particles (<74μm) from the riverbank soils and river-bottom sediments were added to filtered (<0.45μm) seawater. After the addition of the particles, the dissolved 137Cs concentration increased rapidly as a result of desorption of 137Cs from the particles, and then became approximately constant. The desorbed 137Cs fraction (i.e., the amount desorbed in seawater relative to the initial total amount in the particles) after 7d ranged from 0.75 to 6.6%. This variability in the desorbed 137Cs fraction reflects the varied composition of the particles (clay minerals, Fe/Mn oxides/hydrous oxides, and organic matter), which controls the adsorption–desorption reaction. We calculated the export flux from each river to the coastal area in two ways: (1) by multiplying the sum of the desorbed fraction and dissolved concentration in the river water by the river discharge (i.e., the flux with the desorbable fraction), and (2) by multiplying just the dissolved concentration in the river water by the discharge (the flux without the desorbable fraction). The estimated 137Cs flux under normal flow conditions when the desorbed fraction was included was 72–86MBq/d from the Abukuma River, and 4.4–4.6MBq/d from the Kuji River. These fluxes are respectively 2.5–21.9% and 1.1–9.9% larger than the fluxes calculated without the desorbed fraction (Abukuma, 71MBq/d; Kuji, 4.2MBq/d). Under high-flow conditions, the rivers would likely carry a greater suspended particle load with high 137Cs (>1000Bq/kg-dry) to the marine environment, thereby increasing the contribution of desorption to the export flux of dissolved 137Cs. These results show that reactive particulate Cs (i.e., the desorbable fraction) must be taken into account when estimating the radiocesium fluxes from rivers to coastal regions near the FNPP.

Potential of Ranunculus acris L. for biomonitoring trace element contamination of riverbank soils: photosystem II activity and phenotypic responses for two soil series.

Foliar ionome, photosystem II activity, and leaf growth parameters of Ranunculus acris L., a potential biomonitor of trace element (TE) contamination and phytoavailability, were assessed using two riverbank soil series. R. acris was cultivated on two potted soil series obtained by mixing a TE (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn)-contaminated technosol with either an uncontaminated sandy riverbank soil (A) or a silty clay one slightly contaminated by TE (B). Trace elements concentrations in the soil-pore water and the leaves, leaf dry weight (DW) yield, total leaf area (TLA), specific leaf area (SLA), and photosystem II activity were measured for both soil series after a 50-day growth period. As soil contamination increased, changes in soluble TE concentrations depended on soil texture. Increase in total soil TE did not affect the leaf DW yield, the TLA, the SLA, and the photosystem II activity of R. acris over the 50-day exposure. The foliar ionome did not reflect the total and soluble TE concentrations in both soil series. Foliar ionome of R. acris was only effective to biomonitor total and soluble soil Na concentrations in both soil series and total and soluble soil Mo concentrations in the soil series B.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal influences on growth, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency of Miscanthus sacchariflorus growing on nutrient-deficient river bank soil

The potential effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, nutrient assimilation, and inoculation effectiveness of AMF on the pioneer plant Miscanthus sacchariflorus which is dominant in river banks were evaluated. A pot experiment was performed in a greenhouse at Saitama University, Japan. Spores of AMF strains were collected from the commercial product ‘Serakinkon’. The average colonization level of M. sacchariflorus was 23–28%, whereas no colonization was found in sterilized soil. AMF colonization increased the chlorophyll content, plant dry mass, N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentration of the M. sacchariflorus plant’s roots, stems, and leaves when it was applied with natural and sterilized soil. In all cases, maximum values were measured when the M. sacchariflorus plant was applied with natural soil in combination with AMF, but Ca concentration decreased as colonization level increased. Mn concentration decreased in roots and stems but increased in leaves in natural soil, and AMF with natural soil treatment. N loss minimization from the soil was significant when colonization level was high. Therefore, AMF have some potential effects for growth of the C4 grass Miscanthus sacchariflorus and nitrogen retention in aquatic–terrestrial inter-faces (river banks).

The Impact of Oil Exploration and Exploitation on Water Quality and Vegetal Resources in a Rain Forest Ecosystem of Nigeria

The oil industry in Nigeria is known to be as a source of revenue and foreign exchange earning to the economy. However, while the industry is perceived as an engine of growth, it is regarded as a mixed blessing to the country. This is as a result of distortions in the environment due to oil spillages and contamination of agricultural lands. Based on these problems, the paper examine the qualities of surface and well waters, bottom sediments, river banks soils and some species of plants in areas of oil exploitation and exploration. Samples of well and surface water, bottom sediments and riverbank soils were collected during the month of June and September 2013. These samples were sent to the laboratory for physio-chemical analysis. The result shows that the values of some samples in some locations were slightly higher than the WHO permissible level for portable water, the same was found in chemical parameters, indicating some level of pollution due to oil spillage. Riverbanks soil values were slightly higher than those of the bottom sediments. Of the twenty-four species of plants evaluated, twenty were impacted slightly due to absorption of toxic nutrients from spilled oil and four non-impacted by oil pollution. To ensure the restoration of the ecosystem, such preventive measures of regulating the activities of oil companies, checking pipe line vandalization, accidental discharge, pre and post-impact assessment by such oil companies should be carried out annually. Lastly, government should enforce pollution control measures and environmental friendly standards. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p1678