Trace Metals and Volatile Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content of Ukpeliede-I Oil Spillage Site, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The composition and distribution of the volatile aromatic components: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene (BTEX) and the variations in the concentration of the trace metals within the sampling interval of two months and five months were studied in an oil impacted soil at Ukpeliede in the Niger Delta area, Nigeria. This was done with a view to assessing the level of attenuation of this particular group of crude hydrocarbons and the changes /effects of some trace metals in the impacted soils. The aromatic hydrocarbon levels were all above the target level of 0.05mg/kg after two months post impact period. There was a complete disappearance of the BTEX after the second sampling interval of five months, paralleling a marked reduction of about 71% in the concentration of zinc within the same sampling period suggesting a common attenuation process or conditions.