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Analysis of Underground Water Samples from Polluted Wells in Baruwa Community of Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
Well water is the source of potable water in Baruwa, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. In 1994, some reddish non-polar liquid was found in one well and thereafter in several other wells in Baruwa. The pollutant was suspected to be due to leakage of petroleum products from nearby pipelines. Samples
of liquids from fifteen wells in Baruwa were collected over a three-month period and the ratios of non-polar liqiuds: water (volume:volume) were determined. The non-polar liquids in the water samples were analysed by distillation and found to contain 60-70% gasoline, 30%–40% kerosene, 5–8% diesel and 1.2–2% residue. Infra-red spectra of the non-polar liquid was similar to that of premium motor spirit. The environmental and health effects of such pollution is discussed. Routine monitoring of well waters in close proximity to petroleum pipelines is suggested.
of liquids from fifteen wells in Baruwa were collected over a three-month period and the ratios of non-polar liqiuds: water (volume:volume) were determined. The non-polar liquids in the water samples were analysed by distillation and found to contain 60-70% gasoline, 30%–40% kerosene, 5–8% diesel and 1.2–2% residue. Infra-red spectra of the non-polar liquid was similar to that of premium motor spirit. The environmental and health effects of such pollution is discussed. Routine monitoring of well waters in close proximity to petroleum pipelines is suggested.
