Surface water assessment on the influence of space distribution on the physico-chemical parameters of refinery effluent water

Abstract

In this work, the influence of space distribution on physico-chemical parameters of refinery effluent discharge has been studied, using treated effluent water discharged from the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) into the Ekerekana Creek in Okrika as reference. Samples were collected at surface level from the discharge point into the Creek and subsequently at 500 metres and 1000 metres down stream. The samples taken from these points were analysed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, TDS, TSS, COD, Oil and Grease, Temperature, Cations (Pb 2+ , Fe (total), Cu 2+ , Cr 6+ , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ ) and Anions (PO , NO , SO and Cl - ) . The results showed that Oil and Grease, COD, Cations (Pb 2+ , Fe (total)) and temperature were dilution sensitive, and are stated as follows: oil and grease, 24 to 7mg/l; Iron (Fe (total)), 1.0 to 0.16 mg/l; lead (Pb 2+ ), 0.035 to 0.006 mg/l; COD, 7 to 1mg/l and temperature, 24.1 to 22.0oC. Parameters such as TDS, TSS, Cu 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mg,sup>2+ , SO and Cl - are dilution non-sensitive, mainly due to the existence of residual impurities (pollution load) created by existing rocks and salts in the creek water body. The magnitude of these impurities increases along the creek even beyond 1000m from the discharged point. Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 3(2) 2003: 13-16