ENVIRONMENTAL  IMPACT OF OIL SPILL ON SOIL STRENGTH IN ELEME, RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

The study focused on the impact of oil spill on soil strength in Eleme,  River State, Nigeria. The aim is to determine the extent of the impact of the spills on the soil which was caused as a result of pipeline vandalization. Three sites, Agbonchia, Ogale and Aleto were selected for geotechnical tests. These tests consists of Atterberg Limit test, Proctor Compaction test, Californian Bearing Ratio (CBR), 24 hour Free Swell Test and triaxial shear strength. Samples were collected from these areas and immediately sent to the laboratory for analysis. Samples was chemically stabilized with CaCl₂ and slaked lime to reduce swelling potential to tolerable level (25% for 24 hours free swell index) and with cement to improve the strength. Twenty four hours free swell index was found to diminish with increasing stabilizer content while addition of cement was found to enhance continual increase in Maximum Dry Density (MDD), soaked Californian Bearing Ratio (CBR) and durable index such that the soil becomes better and compactable, stronger and more durable with increasing cement content. Liquid limits (%) for Agbonchia, Ogale and Aleto were 54.2, 63.2 and 35.5 respectively, while the plastic limit (%) were 10.6, 23.1 and 12.4 respectively, and plasticity index (%) were 43.6, 40.1 and 23.1. since the soil did not fall within the established range of presumed bearing values for medium dense sand or soil, which is 100-600KN/m², it indicated that the soil have been altered seriously by oil spill and did not have good stability and cohesion. The quantitative data on oil spills on soil and environment should be studied and made available to government, groups, or individuals who are involved in structural designs, civil engineering and construction works.

Keywords: Environment, Oil Spill Impact, Soil, Soil Strength, pipeline vandalization.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page                                                                                                                i

Certification                                                                                                            ii

Dedication                                                                                                              iii

Certification                                                                                                           iv

Abstract                                                                                                                   v

List of Tables                                                                                                         vi

List of Figures or Illustrations

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION  

1.1     Background of the study                                                                              1

1.2.    Statement of the Problem                                                                             2

1.3     Aim and Objectives                                                                                      3

1.4     Significance of the Study                                                                             4

1.5     Scope and Delimitation                                                                                4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     Introductory Remark                                                                                     5

2.2     Environmental Impact of Oil spill  Eleme                                                    8

 

2.2.1 Climate Change                                                                                              8

2.2.2 Acid Rain                                                                                                       8

2.2.3 Health Implications                                                                                       8

2.2.4 Impacts on Water                                                                                          9

2.2.5 Impact on Vegetation                                                                                     9

2.2.6 Economic loss                                                                                              11

2.3     Impact on oil spill on soil strength/bearing capacity                                    11

2.4     Remediation Techniques for cleaning up contaminated soil                    16

 

2.4.1 Physico-Chemical clean up of contaminated soil                                          16

2.4.2 Thermal Clean- up methods                                                                          17

2.4.3 Biological clean-up of oil-contaminated soil                                                19

2.4.4 Types of Soil Treatment                                                                               22

2.4.5 Preventive Measures of oil spill in Eleme                                                 23

CHAPTER THREE

3.0  MATERIAL AND METHODS

3.1     Description of the Study Area                                                                     26

3.2     Types and Sources of Data                                                                          27

 

3.3.1 Soil Sampling                                                                                                27

 

3.3.2 Particle Size Distribution of the Soil                                                            28

3.5     Atterberg limits of clay soil                                                                         29

3.5.1 Proctor Compaction                                                                                     30

3.5.2 CBR Test                                                                                                     31

3.5.3 24 Hours Free Swell Test                                                                             32

3.6     Classification based on Soil Activity

 

3.8.1 24 Hours Swell Index Test                                                                           35

3.8.2 Compaction and CBR Test on Soil Sample Stabilized                             35 with Cacl2 and Cement

3.8.3 Durability Test                                                                                             36 CHAPTER FOUR 

4.0     RESULT AND DISCUSSION                                                                   38

4.1     Free Swell Test                                                                                            70

 

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0     CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1     Conclusion                                                                                                  82

5.2     Recommendations                                                                                       84

 

References

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

 

1.1   Background of the Study

Covering about 500km² in River state, Southern Nigeria, Eleme has been the site of oil industry operations since the late 1950s. Eleme has a tragic history of pollution from oil spills and oil well fires.

A chronic oil spill problem have been plaguing the communities and villages which comprises of Aleto, Ogale and Agboncha  all in Eleme local government council. Ecological, economic and environmental devastation which results from pollution through oil spillage remain unabated in the study area. The spills occasioned the weeding off of most crops and economic trees and killed almost all the fishes in the streams and ponds. It was obvious that the survivors of several terrestrial organisms lost their natural food chain in their various ecological systems (Robert, 2009).

Due to oil spills the soil has lost it retentive capacities, therefore erosion abounds, pounds and streams which were very friendly and productive had without notice turned to be their very enemies, making life more discomforting and unbearable. Moreover oil spill is an unintentional release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment as a result of human activities. They are caused by accidents involving oil tankers, bargers, refineries, pipelines and oil storage facilities

(Hornby, 2008).

These accidents can be caused by human mistakes or carelessness and sometimes by natural disasters such as earthquakes, deliberate acts by terrorists, militants or vandals. In Eleme, the major cause of oil spill is lack of regular maintenance of pipelines storage tanks. Most pipelines from the flow stations are absolute, being more than 20years old, making them subject to corrosion and leakage. Some of the pipe lines are laid above ground level without adequate surveillances, exposing them to wear and tear and other dangers. (Agholino, 2006).

The study therefore tends to study and investigate fully the negative effects of oil spills on strength properties of soil in communities of Eleme, in River state of Nigeria.

 

               1.0    Statement of the Problem

Two decades ago, the issue of oil spill was insignificant in the sense that, there were surplus oil. These days, incessant fuel scarcity in the country has reminded some dubious and criminally minded citizens to welcome the ideas of illegal tapping of oil, and when spilt on the ground brought negative impact to the communities in Eleme . The negative impact includes: destruction of wildlife, lost of fertile soil, pollution of air and water also damage of the ecosystem of the host communities. The oil producing areas especially the Eleme of Rivers State in Niger Delta region always feel that the remunerations given to them are not commensurate with their exploited oil and ecological disasters brought on them by the oil companies. Instead of channeling their cases legally to the federal government, the angry villagers sometimes provocatively and barbarically tampered with the pipelines.

The worst of all is that oil may spill for some days or weeks without the attention of Nigerian national petroleum corporation or other agencies involved.

 

               1.1     Aim and Objectives

The aim of this study is to undertake a detailed investigation on environmental effect of oil spill on soil strength.

Specific Objectives

To achieve the stated aim, the following objectives have been set out:

1. To identify the causes of oil spill in Eleme.
2. To determine the perception of environmental impact of oil spill in the study area. To evaluate the impacts of oil spill on soil strength properties or the soil bearing capacity.
3. To enunciate remediation techniques for cleaning up affected soil.
4. To propose strategies for prevention of oil spill in Eleme.

 

 

 

 

 

               1.2     Significance of the Study

This research is significantly taken to enlighten the public on dangers of oil spill. It will equally help the oil companies and the Federal Government on how to mitigate the environmental effects of oil spill in Niger-Delta Region.

The study will provide recommendations for sustainable environmental management of Eleme and the entire Ogoniland, and will equally provide useful guidance data to undertake remediation of contaminated soil in Eleme.

Moreover, the research will be helpful to other researchers of environmental sciences.

 

               1.3     Scope and Delimitation

The scope of this study is to examine the impact of oil spill on soil strength properties or the bearing capacity. Study was taken from Agbonchia, Ogale and Aleto in Eleme,  Rivers State in Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria.

Eleme covering around 500km² in River State, Southern Nigeria has the of population of about 331,726 peoples. The local government headquarter is at ogale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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