Assessment of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Borehole Water in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study entails determination of Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) in borehole water of Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This was assessed using standard analytical methods. The samples were collected in triplicate from the study area with a control station. The areas were Ikot Ibiok and Atabong in Eket L.G.A while the control station was at Aka in Uyo L.G.A. The samples were extracted with hexane using liquid-liquid extraction method followed by subsequent clean-up using column chromatography. The determination of TPH was with the aid of gas chromatography fitted with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) while The THC was determined using U-V Spectroscopy. The results showed the variations of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) from 784.395 ± 0.07 to 1120.500 ± 0.05 mg/L. While THC ranges from 938.21 ± 0.08 to 1,583.294± 0.02 mg/L. The average amount of TPH and THC in the water samples collected from all the sampling stations were generally higher than both the DPR limit (50 mg/L) and federal ministry of Environment (FMEnv.) acceptable standard of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in water. This indicates a serious impact of oil industrial activities on the area. Hence, our findings have indicated evidence that the borehole water samples from the study area in Eket L.G.A is under a pollution threat and underscore the need for early remediation if adverse health defects are to be prevented.