The study examined the
impacts of crude oil exploitation on the soil environment of Ogoni region and
also identified action plans for the future management of the region. Composite
soil samples were collected at two depths: 0 - 15 cm (surface soils) and 15 - 30 cm (subsurface soils) along different positions of
landscape in the four study locations. Samples were analysed in the laboratory
within 5 days of collection. ANOVA was used to confirm that both soil chemical
and physical properties significantly vary in the study locations. The result
revealed that sand, silt and clay contents significantly vary in Eleme, Tai,
Khana and Gokhana as evident in the calculated F-ratios of 307.70; 606.72;
1312.31; and 1154.02 respectively. This is against the tabulated F-ratio of
3.35 as reflected by the wide variations in sand, silt and clay fractions, and
probably owing to differences in parent material. Based on the locations where
the soils were sampled, the results indicate that the soils vary widely in
chemical characteristics in Eleme (F-ratio = 1674.16; p < 0.01; F-critical =
1.88); Tai (F-ratio = 82.67; p < 0.01; F-critical = 1.88); Khana (F-ratio = 1467.66;
p < 0.01; F-critical = 1.88) and Gokhana (F-ratio = 709.49; p < 0.01;
F-critical = 1.88) against the theoretical value. The soils of the prescribed
study area are declared contaminated by heavy metals and hydrocarbon toxicity.
The study therefore recommended the immediate implementation of the UNEP Report
on Ogoni to attempt a remediation of the pollution impacts on the environment
and socioeconomic livelihood. The paper also recommends the regulation of the
activities of multinational oil companies in mineral exploration in Nigeria.
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