EFFECTS OF SPENT ENGINE OIL ON SOIL DEGRADATION IN DELTA AND EDO STATES, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Soils are composed of physical and chemical constituents. These soils are able to support plant life and organisms. However, various activities either by man or nature, affect soils or change their physical and chemical properties. The highlight of this study carried out to observe such changes. This study was therefore done to find out the effects of spent engine oil on some soils physical and chemical properties that have degraded when spent engine oil was applied to the soils. The main aim of the study therefore carried out was to find out the effects of spent engine oil on soil degradation in Delta and Edo states, Nigeria. The specific objective of the study was to determine the properties of the soil from their different location before and after contamination with the spent engine oil. To evaluate the extent of degradation of the soil also to assess the soils that were severely affected by the contamination using critical levels in Southern Nigeria Soils. Soil samples were collected from their various locations. Analyses were done using the standard laboratory procedures outlined for soil analysis. Statistical evidences showed the spent engine oil had significant (P=0.05) effects on some major soil nutrients. It was observed that nitrogen of the soil from Delta state before and after contamination changed from (0.85 to 0.49)g/kg for Sapele and (0.94 to 0.29)g/kg for Warri respectively. Similarly, that of the soil from Edo state changed from (0.87 to 0.42)g/kg for Okha and (0.92 to 0.39)g/kg for Oredo respectively. The critical level of nitrogen is (1.5 to 2.0)g/kg.