Variation of Selected Metal Pollutants with Depth and Seasons in Petroleum Contaminated Soils

  • Osinde I. Martin University of Eldoret, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125-30100,
  • J. Lusweti University of Eldoret, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O box 1125-30100, Kenya
  • P. Kipkemboi University of Eldoret, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O box 1125-30100, Kenya
  • B. C. Anditi University of Eldoret, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O box 1125-30100, Kenya
  • Titus M. Muthoka University of Eldoret, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O box 1125-30100, Kenya
  • Wamalwa K.W.
##article.subject##: Metal Pollutants, Petroleum Spillage, Seasons and Soil Depth

##article.abstract##

Human activities have led to increased metal contamination in the environment, among these is petroleum spillage. Conventional methods of analysis are concerned with determination of metal levels along soil surfaces and in water. To assess complete toxicological effects, it is important to determine the variation of metal levels with depth and seasons. This study sought to investigate the effect of petroleum spillage on the Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd and Cu levels extracted from petroleum-contaminated soils. A total of 40 samples were collected from four sites (S1- S4) in both wet and dry seasons. Soils were sampled at 15 cm depth intervals from 0 - 75 cm and kept in clean polythene bags. Stones and plant fragments in the samples were immediately removed by passing the samples through a < 0.2 mm sieve and then crushed to fine powder using mortar and pestle. The concentration of heavy metals was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. For S1 at shallower depth (0-30 cm), the levels were 3.95 ppm, 0.51 ppm, 0.05 ppm, 0.20 ppm and 0.08 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu, respectively. At deeper depth (45-75 cm), the corresponding values were 3.31 ppm, 0.55 ppm, 0.55 ppm, 0.27 ppm and 0.10 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu. As for S2 at shallower depth, the values were 4.83 ppm, 0.72 ppm, 0.99 ppm, 0.47 ppm and 0.10 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu, apiece. At deeper depth, the respective values were 3.20 ppm, 0.82 ppm, 0.42 ppm, 0.00 ppm and 0.12 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu. Site 3 at shallower depth had respective values 4.67 ppm, 0.69 ppm, 0.57 ppm, 0.44 ppm and 0.14 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu, whereas at deeper depth, the corresponding values were 3.48 ppm, 0.67 ppm, 0.70 ppm, 0.11 ppm and 0.13 ppm. For S4 at shallower depth, the levels were 4.72 ppm, 0.70 ppm, 0.54 ppm, 0.47 ppm and 0.11 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu, respectively. At deeper depth, the levels were

4.00 ppm, 0.78 ppm, 0.64 ppm, 0.45 ppm and 0.14 ppm for Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cu, sequentially. There were insignificant statistical differences between the four sites with p> 0.05. Levels of Fe and Pb decreased with depth, whereas Zn and Ni levels increased with depth. Copper had little vertical movements. Variation of Ni with depth was statistically significant (p = 0.01098, F = 3.83) unlike Zn, Pb, Cu, Fe and Cd and this could threaten ground water. Wet season had higher mean levels than the dry season and this was significant for Ni, Zn and Cu with p ˂ 0.05. A significant correlation (p ˂ 0.05, r> 0.5) existed between mean metal levels and petroleum spillage signifying spillage of petroleum elevate metal levels in soil. Mean Pb levels were above the crude oil quality group (COQG) permissible limits at sites S2, S3 and S4 unlike the other elements. Regular assessment of Pb from petroleum should provide a framework for its control in the environment. Heavy metal permissible levels should be included in assessment of petroleum quality by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Organic matter should be added to soil to reduce movement of Ni to deeper depths.

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##submissions.published##
2021-07-31
##issue.issue##
##issue.vol## 2 ##issue.no## 3 (2015)
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