Assessment of Phenolic Compounds in Surface Waters from New Calabar River and Orashi River in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are hazardous with diverse health implications. The presence of phenolic compounds in rivers is triggered by several activities including petroleum products. The Niger Delta is one of the world’s major hydrocarbon provinces with several health hazards created by oil exploration and exploitation and slow in action to oil spillages. Therefore this paper assessed phenolic compounds in surface waters from New Calabar River and Orashi River in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria using GC/MS technique (Agilent 6890N Gas agilent 5975 mass selective Detector). Data obtained reveal that the average phenolic compounds recorded during the dry and wet seasons were 37.7156μg/l and 37.5878μg/l for New Calabar River and 94.3078μg/l and 85.5222μg/l for Orashi River, respectively. The level of phenolic compounds in the water samples indicated that both rivers were contaminated and not suitable for domestic use. Therefore, the people located within the riverbank, particularly Orashi River, are advised not to use the river water domestically except after treatment.