ABSTRACT

This study is carried out to examine the Assessment of the impact of crude oil contaminated soil and plants in Umuorie Community, Ukwa West Local Government area of Abia State. Soil and plants samples used were collected at the polluted and non polluted sites of Umuorie community, Ukwa West Local government Area Abia State. The polluted and unpolluted soils samples were collected at the depths of 0-10cm and 10-20cm respectively. Polluted soil sample was collected 1000m apart from the unpolluted soil site which served for the control. Four plant species found growing in the polluted soil are Cyperus difformis, Calopogonium mucunoides, Spermacoce verticillata, and Urena lobata. The soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical, heavy metals, hydrocarbon and microbial count using standard methods. Plant samples were analyzed for heavy metal (roots and leaves), hydrocarbon and phyto-chemical composition using standard methods. Physicochemical analysis shows the pH value for the polluted top and sub soil were 4.74±0.03% and 4.10±0.01% respectively compared to unpolluted top and sub soil value of 5.62±0.01% and 5.46±0.06% respectively. Electrical conductivity polluted top and sub soil were 96.50±3.54cmol/kg and 92.00±1.41cmol/kg respectively, compared to the unpolluted top and sub soil value of 55.00±2.83cmol/kg and 55.50±0.07cmol/kg respectively. The average population of the bacterial top and sub soil for the polluted soil was 1.87x10⁶ and 0.87x10⁶ respectively compared to the unpolluted top and sub soil of 3.83x10⁶ and 5.47x10⁶ respectively. Bacterial such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus faecalis and Salmonella species were also found. Fungal such as Aspergilus species, Penicillium species, mucor species and Saccharomyces species. The result of the heavy metal composition of the polluted soil shows that the top and sub soil has higher values of the metals evaluated (Cu, Fe, and Zn) compared to the unpolluted top and sub soil. The result of the total hydrocarbon content of the polluted top and sub soil was higher compared to the unpolluted top and sub soil. The result of the total hydrocarbon composition of the polluted plants showed that polluted plants were heavily contaminated with crude oil compared to the unpolluted with zero values for all the studied plants. The result of phyto-chemical properties of the polluted and unpolluted plant samples shows that the polluted plants phyto-chemical composition were lower in almost all the evaluated (Alkaloids, Phenol, Saponin and Taninn) contents compared to the unpolluted plants. The result of the heavy metal composition of root and leaves showed the polluted root and leaf accumulated high level of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn) compared to the unpolluted plant (roots and leaves). It can be observed that the physicochemical, microbial, heavy metals, phytochemical and hydrocarbon content of the soil and plants of Umuorie were greatly altered. This could be detrimental to lives, vegetation and health of the community. Therefore, the researcher recommend among others, measures should be taken to prevent further oil spillage in the area while efforts should be made at eradicating the oil spills that is already in the soil of Umuorie community.