Assessing the Impact of Artisanal Petroleum Refining on Vegetation and Soil Quality: A Case Study of Warri South West Salt Wetland of Delta State, Nigeria

Objective: Assessment of the impacts of artisanal petroleum refining on vegetation and soil quality in Warri South West Salt Wetland of Delta State, Nigeria were carried out. Methodology: Three refining sites designated as A, B and C alongside a D (control) with no refining activity were used. In each site, 3 randomly located plot of 55 m were sampled for vegetation (frequency, abundance, density and cover), Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and soil chemical (Total organic carbon, pH, conductivity, nitrate, phosphate, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + and K + ) properties. Results: Results showed drastic reduction in vegetation indices such as species frequency of occurrence (66.6-166.6%), abundance (11.67-29 mG 2 ) and density (4-9.66 mG 2 ) as against the control of 200%, 34.0 and 177 mG 2 , respectively. Total species contents were A (29), B (12), C (19) and D (53) while cover value was in order of D (100%) >C (60%) >B (33.3%) >A (15%). Significant (p = 0.05) increase were recorded in Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) (132595-278557.6 mg kgG 1 ), Total organic carbon (1.740.2-3.000.3%); Ca 2+ (776.7519.7-1625.110.8 mg kgG 1 ); Mg 2+ (1234.625.1-1639.131.4 mg kgG 1 ); K + (129754.9-200.8 mg kgG 1 ) in refining sites as against THC (17525 mg kgG 1 ) TOC (1.390.1%), Ca 2+ (146.016.7 mg kgG 1 ), Mg 2+ (901.342.6 mg kgG 1 ) and K + (34.013.9 mg kgG 1 ) in the control. Conclusion: Therefore, artisanal petroleum refining activity is disastrous to the wetland ecosystem and should be discontinued at all cost. Also, remediation of such site should be vigorously pursued in order for the ecosystem to continue to provide its goods and services to the locality.