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Abstract
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Article Information:
The Sediment Physical and Chemical Characteristics in Sombreiro River, Niger Delta, Nigeria
E.N. Ezekiel, A.I. Hart and J.F.N. Abowei
Corresponding Author: Abowei Jasper
Submitted: 2011 January, 05
Accepted: 2011 February, 11
Published: 2011 June, 05 |
Abstract:
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The sediment characteristics in Sombreiro River of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was studied
for a period of two years (January, 2007 - December, 2009) using an Eckman grab of 10 cm diameter and 12
cm long. The sand contents of the sediment were high across the stations. The percentage sand content ranged
from 81.96 to 94.52%. Station 4 (Odiemudie) had the highest value (94.52%) while station 1 (Degema) had the
lowest value (81.96%). The percentage silt content ranged from 1.53 to 7.72%. The highest percentage silt
content was recorded from station 1 (Degema) while the lowest value (1.53%) was obtained in station 4
(Odiemudie). The percentage clay content ranged from 3.95 to 10.32%. Clay content was highest in station 1
(Degema) (10.32%), while the lowest value (3.95%) was obtained in station 4 (Odiemudie). The result of the
sediment analysis showed that sand was dominant across the stations, except station 1 (Degema) which revealed
loam sand textual class. The pH values of the sediments were acidic across the stations. Station 2 (Ogbele)
(5.06) was the most acidic while station 1 (Degema)(5.85) was the least. Conductivity of the sediments values
ranged from 40 to 1,940 μS/cm. Station 1 (Degema) had the highest value (1,940 μS/cm) while the lowest value
(40 μS/cm) was obtained from station 2 (Ogbele). The great difference arose from the fact that station 1
(Degema) is brackish sediment while station 2-4 are fresh sediments. The organic carbon percentage ranged
from 2.020 to 4.134%. Station 1 (Degema) had the highest value of 4.134% while station 4 (Odiemudie) had
the lowest value of (2.020%). The nitrate content of the sediments values ranged from 2.6 to 4.1 mg/kg.
Station 3 (Ihuaba) had the highest value (4.1 mg/kg); while the lowest value (2.6 mg/kg) was obtained from
station 2 (Ogbele). The phosphate content of the sediments ranged from 8.90 and 15.7 mg/kg with a mean value
of 13.43 mg/kg. The highest value of 15.7 mg/kg was obtained from station 3 (Ihuaba) while the lowest value
(8.90 mg/kg) was obtained from station 2 (Ogbele). The sulphate content of the sediments ranged from 21.0
to 30.0 mg/kg. Station 1 (Degema) had the highest value (30.0 mg/kg) while the lowest value (21.0 mg/kg) was
obtained from station 2 (Ogbele). Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) of the sediments ranged from 21.6 and
52.7 mg/kg. Station 3 (Ihuaba) had the highest value (52.7 mg/kg) while the lowest value (21.6 mg/kg) was
obtained from station 1 (Degema).
Key words: Niger Delta, Nigeria, physical and chemical characteristics, Sediment, Sombreiro River, ,
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Cite this Reference:
E.N. Ezekiel, A.I. Hart and J.F.N. Abowei, . The Sediment Physical and Chemical Characteristics in Sombreiro River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (4): 341-349.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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