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 0-1 Ocm 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 ofthe bacterial top
and sub soil for the polluted soil was 1.87xl06 and 0.87xl06 respectively
compared to the unpolluted top and sub soil of 3.83xl06 and 5.47xl06
respectively. Bacterial such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Streptococcusfaecalis 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 ofthe 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 ofUmuorie community
EZENWA, E (2025). Assessment of the Impact of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil and Plants in Umuorie Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State:- Ezenwa, Jollyfair C . Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Jul 01, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-the-impact-of-crude-oil-contaminated-soil-and-plants-in-umuorie-community-ukwa-west-local-government-area-of-abia-state-ezenwa-jollyfair-c-7-2
EZENWA, EZENWA. "Assessment of the Impact of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil and Plants in Umuorie Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State:- Ezenwa, Jollyfair C " Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 30 Jun. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-the-impact-of-crude-oil-contaminated-soil-and-plants-in-umuorie-community-ukwa-west-local-government-area-of-abia-state-ezenwa-jollyfair-c-7-2. Accessed 01 Jul. 2025.
EZENWA, EZENWA. "Assessment of the Impact of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil and Plants in Umuorie Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State:- Ezenwa, Jollyfair C ". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 30 Jun. 2025. Web. 01 Jul. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-the-impact-of-crude-oil-contaminated-soil-and-plants-in-umuorie-community-ukwa-west-local-government-area-of-abia-state-ezenwa-jollyfair-c-7-2 >.
EZENWA, EZENWA. "Assessment of the Impact of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil and Plants in Umuorie Community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State:- Ezenwa, Jollyfair C " Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2025). Accessed 01 Jul. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-the-impact-of-crude-oil-contaminated-soil-and-plants-in-umuorie-community-ukwa-west-local-government-area-of-abia-state-ezenwa-jollyfair-c-7-2