Investigating the Effect of Gas Flaring on the Physicochemical Properties of Air and Rainwater in Oil-Producing Region of Orashi- ONELGA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/je.3398Keywords:
Gas Flaring, Air Quality, Rainwater Quality, BaselineAbstract
Purpose: The effect of Gas flaring on the physical properties of air and rainwater in oil producing region of Orashi and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area (ONELGA) in particular was investigated. Specifically, the study determined the air quality of Omoku, Obite, Obrikom and Ebocha, heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) levels and physicochemical parameters of rainwater and compare the values with WHO standard limit of air and rainwater as well as establish a base line data on the possible consequences of gas flaring on these communities.
Methodology: Indices of air quality parameters like H2S, NO2, SO2, CO, and VOCs were measured using Aeroqual air quality meter. Standard Methods for the examination of water and wastewater was employed to determine the pH, Conductivity/TDS, Total Dissolved Solids and Turbidity.
Findings: The results obtained show that the quality of air within the three communities when compared with the control is still able to support lives (both humans/animals and plants). The heavy metals level of rainwater was below detection level.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The values obtained are variable among the communities and within the range that could support lives. The amount of particulate matter in the atmosphere has not gotten to the state of serious threat to stopping lives from existing within the areas. The accumulation of these particles is still manageable for now in the area. The study shows traces of acid rain which is not higher than the recommended value of the dissolved particles. Hence, less visible corrosion of metals and roofing sheets in the Local Government Area.
Downloads
References
Ajugwo, A. O. (2013). Negative effects of gas flaring: The Nigerian experience. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 1 (1), 6-8.
Akuro, A. (2012). Air Quality Survey of some locations in the Niger Delta Area. Journal of Applied Science, and Environment Management. 16 (1), 125-134.
Andersen, Z.J., Kristiansen, C., Andersen, K.K., Olsen, T.S., Hvidberg, M., Jensen, S.S., Ketzel, M., Loft, S.,
Ani, A.O; Chikaire, J.U; Ogueri, E.I; & Orusha, J.O. (2017). Effects of oil spillage (pollution) on Agricultural production in Agricultural zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Int’l Journal of Environmental Science 4(2), 75-80
APHA/AWWA/W/WPCF (2001). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 18th ed. American Public Health Association Washington D.C. 76-538.
Aregbe, A.G. (2017). Natural gas flaring an-Alternative solutions. World journal of Engineering & Technology, 5(1/, 720-726
Atuma, M. I., & Ojeh, V. N. (2013). Effect of Gas Flaring on Soil and Cassava Productivity in Ebedei, Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Protection. 4, 1054-1066.
Bello, A. & Nwaeke, T. (2023) Impacts of Oil Exploration (Oil and Gas Conflicts; Niger Delta as a Case Study). Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 11, 189-200. doi: 10.4236/gep.2023.113013.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Environmental-Impact-of-Gas-Flaring-on-Ebocha-Egbema-Niger-Delta-Nigeria.pdf
Dami, A; & Ayuba, H. K. (2012). Effects of Gas Flaring and Oil Spillage on Rainwater Collected for Drinking in Okpai and Beneku, Delta State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Human Social Science Geography & Environmental GeoSciences. 12 (13) Version 1.0
Edem, B.I (2011). Effect of gas flaring in Ekeremor area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. J. Environ. Ecol. 3:38-51.
Don-Ehiri, R.C., Ikelle, I.I., Ngele, S.O., Afiukwa, J.N. & Chukwu, A. (2014). Assessment of the Concentration of Carbon Monoxide in Ambient Air Environment of Abakaliki Urban Area, Nigeria. International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology 3 (8), 83-86
Ekpoh, I. J. & Obia, A, E. (2010). The Role of Gas Flaring in The Rapid Corrosion of Zinc Roofs in The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Environment. 30:347–352.
Elehinafe et al, (2022). Oil, a blessing or curse: A comparative assessment of Nigeria, Norway and the United Arab Emerate. Theoretical Economics Letters
Elijah, A. A. (2022). A Review of the Environmental Impact of Gas Flaring on the Physiochemical Properties of Water, Soil and Air Quality in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Earthline Journal of Chemical Sciences 7 (1), 35-52 https://doi.org/10.34198/ejcs.7122.3552
Elwerfelli, A. & Benhin, J. (2018) Oil a Blessing or Curse: A Comparative Assessment of Nigeria, Norway and the United Arab Emirates. Theoretical Economics Letters, 8, 1136-1160. doi: 10.4236/tel.2018.85076.
Enetimi, .S; & Sylvester, C.I. (2017). A review of impacts if gas flaring on vegetation and water resources in the Niger delta of Nigeria, Int’l journal of economy, energy and Environment 2(4), 48-55
European Economic Area Technical Report (2011). Air pollution by ozone across Europe during summer 2010. EEA Report. No 6/2011. ISBN 978-92-9213-210-1.
Ezenwaji, E. E., Okoye, A. C. & Otti, V. I. (2013). Effects of gas flaring on rainwater quality in Bayelsa State, Eastern Niger-Delta region, Nigeria. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences. 5(6), 97-105.
Feigin, V.L; Roth, G.A; Naghavi, M; Parmar, P; Krishnamurthi , J. (2016). Global burden of stroke and risk factors in 188 countries, during 1990-2013: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 Lancet Neurology., 15 (9), 913-924. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(16)30073-4
Giwa, S. O., Adama, O. O. &Akinyemi, O. O. (2014). Baseline Black Carbon Emissions for Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering. 20,373-379.
Gobo, A. E., Ideriah, T. J. K., Francis, T. E., & Stanley, H. O. (2012). “Assessment of Air Quality and Noise around Okrika Communities, Rivers State, Nigeria” Journal of Applied Science and Environment and Management. 16(1),75-83.
Grifoni, M; Rosellini, I; Angelini, P; Petruzzelli (2020). The effect of residual hydrocarbons in soil following oil spillages on the growth of Zea mays plant. Environmental pollution 265 https://doi.org/10.10.1016/1nvvpol.2020.114950
Hassan, A., & Konhy, R. (2013). Gas flaring in Nigeria: Analysis of changes in its consequent carbon emission and reporting, Accounting Forum. 37(2), 124-134. Doi.10.1016/j.acctor.2013.04.004
Idah-Seiyaboh, E. & Izah, S. (2017). A review of impacts of gas flaring on vegetation and water resources in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment. 2 (4), 48–55, https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20170204.11.
Johnson, F.I; Laing, R; Bjeirmi, B; & Leon, M. (2022). Examining the causes and impacts of pipeline disasters in Nigeria. AIMS Environmental Science, 9(5): 636–657. DOI: 10.3934/environsci.2022037
Lawal, S. (2021). In Nieria, gas gaints get rich a women sink into poverty Environmental & proj.org
Li, L; Huang, S; Tian, Y; Ji, J; Zhang, Y; Hu, J; Lv, Z; Liu, N; Wang, P; Yin, P; & Yu, S. (2022). Short-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and ischemic stroke incidence in Shenzhen, China: Modification effects by season and temperature, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 239, 113644, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113644.
Mbaneme, F. C. N., Mbaneme, E. O., Briggs, E. & Okoli, G. C. (2014). Impacts of Gas Flaring on Ambient Air Quality of Obrikom Community, Rivers State Nigeria. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 3 (11), 926-940. http://www.ijcmas.com
Njoku-Tony, R. F., Ihejirika, C. E., Ebe, T. E., Nwachukwu, N. and Elimnitan, O. O. (2017). “Effects of gas flare from Utorogu gas plant on biochemical variables of cassava leaves (Manihot esculentum) Niger Delta”. British Journal of Environmental Science, 5(5),27-38.
Nwaichi & Uzazobona, 2011
Nwaogu, L.A., & Onyeze, G.O.C. (2020). Environmental impact of gas flaring on Ebocha-Egbema, Niger-Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Research, 8(1), 1-11.
Odjugo, P.A.O., (2011). Climate change and global warming, the Nigerian perspective. J. Sustainable Dev. Environ. Prot. 1, 6–17.
Okeke, G.N; Lawal, L.S; & Ajayi, K.A. (2023). CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTS IN NIGERIA OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
Okoro, E E. Adeleye, B.N; Okoye, L.U; Maxwell, O. (2021). Gas flaring, ineffective utilization of energy resource and associated economic impact in Nigeria: Evidence from ARDL and Bayer-Hanck cointegration techniques, Energy Policy, 153, 2021, 112260, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112260.
Raimi, L; Towobola, W. L. & Madueke, L.I. (2013). Redressing the Energy Challenge of Gas Flaring in Nigeria: The MEEs Approach. Journal of Sustainable Development Studies 2 (2), 242-257
Sørensen M., Tjønneland A., Overvad K., & Raaschou-Nielsen, O. (2012). Stroke and Long-Term Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution from Nitrogen Dioxide: Cohort Study. Stroke. 43 (2) 320-325, https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.111.629246
Ubani, E. C. & Onyejekwe, I. M, (2013). Environmental impact analysis of gas flaring in the Niger delta region of Nigeria, American J. of Scientific and Industrial Research. 4(2). 246-252.2013.
Ubiji, C.E; Eze, S. O; & Igwe, J.C. (2025). Challenges of gas flaring in Nigeria and way out. J. Clinical case Reports and studies, 6(9) doi.1032579/2690-8808/289
Ugwuoha, E; & Omenogor, B.E (2017). Effect of Oil Spillage on Groundwater Quality J Environ Stud
Ukhurebor, K. E; Aigbe, U. O; Onyancha, R.B; Athar, H. O; Benedict, A. P; et al (2024). Environmental Influence of Gas Flaring: Perspective from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, Geofluids, 1321022, 17 pages, https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/1321022
Uyigue L, & Enujekwu F. M. (2017). Physicochemical Analysis of Gas Flaring Impact on the Environment of Host Communities in the Niger-delta.” Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health, 5(1), 22-29. https://doi:10.12691/jephh-5-1-4.
Vanguard News (2019). Despite Paucity of funds, Nigeria flares N461 bn gas in 2019
World bank (2020). Global Gas flring tracker report. Available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/exrqxtiveindustries//publication/global-gas-flaring-tracker-report
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Gabriel G. Dirisu, Dr. Chimezie G. Dirisu, Chukwukere Orike, Ikpaha C. Orike
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
