Department of Science and Technical Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba - Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria; Department, Science and Technical Education, Adekunle Ajasin Department, Science and Technical Education, Adekunle Ajasin, Nigeria; Science Ed
Oloruntegbe, K.O., Department of Science and Technical Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba - Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria; Akinsete, M.A., Department, Science and Technical Education, Adekunle Ajasin Department, Science and Technical Education, Adekunle Ajasin, Nigeria; Odutuyi, M.O., Science Education, Ubafeni Awolowb, Nigeria
The riverine area of Ondo State is one of the locations that are seriously affected by oil spill in Nigeria's fifty years of oil exploration. This study was designed to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of the areas and their effects on lives and living in the oil communities. Water and soil samples for analysis were taken from four locations in the oil exploration areas for experimental and two locations outside the area for the control. The samples were investigated for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, oil and grease and heavy metal sediments. The results of the analysis revealed the occurrence of high temperature, low pH, reduced dissolved oxygen, increased salinity, oil and grease, and heavy metal ions concentrations, which are indications of the presence of hydrocarbon and petrogenic pollution. Except for temperature, the acceptable limits for aquatic lives and agricultural practices were exceeded in the other variables in the experimental. Effects of these deviations were felt in decrease in fishing resources, damage to marine flora and fauna, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, coastal and marine erosion and flooding. The inability of the people to fix these problems and the supposedly government insensitivity had been the cause of persistent conflicts and confrontation with government and oil companies in the area. Implications for enviromental development of the study were discussed. © 2009, INSInet Publication.
