Physicochemical Characterisation of Crude Oil and Its Correlation with bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Earthworm (Libyodrilusviolaceus)

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Physicochemical Characterisation of Crude Oil and Its Correlation with bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Earthworm (Libyodrilusviolaceus)

Erifeta G.O.^1*, Njoya H.K.¹, Josiah S.J¹, Nwangwu S.C.¹, Osagiede P.E.¹, Akpoka A.O.², Omoruyi I.M.³ and Eriyamremu G.E.⁴

¹Department of Biochemistry, Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria.
²Department of Biological Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria.
³Department of Microbiology, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria
⁴Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin City, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Erifeta G.O.^1*.

Abstract:-The country’s total dependence on the proceeds from crude oil to drive its economy since the Commercial exploration of crude oil started in Nigeria in 1958 has led to serious diverse environmental concerns. The environment has grossly suffered from the adverse overload meted upon it by pollution through continuous oil spillages. Earthworms are worthy sentinel for ecotoxicological studies and their toxicity studies have been proven to be scientifically significant. Two hundred and forty earthworms were assigned to four major groups. The first group served as the control group, the other test groups were either exposed to water soluble fraction (WSF) or water insoluble fraction (WIF) or the whole crude (WC). The alimentary canal regions of the earthworms were excised and collected for physicochemical analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Total dissolved solid (TDS), Total suspended solid (TSS) and Chemical Oxygen demand (COD), Electric conductivity (EC), Trace elements (TC),Anion content, pH, Degree of Salinity, Total Hydrocarbon content (THC) were all assessed using standard methods. Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb Ni and V were determined in the alimentary canal of earthworms exposed to sublethal concentrations of the toxicant. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals presented a dose dependent increase in all the test groups. This short-term study established that bioaccumulation of heavy metals in earthworm is related to the degree of pollution of the soil and can possibly lead to soil decontamination. Results from the bioaccumulation study gives credence to earlier findings that earthworms are good biomarkers for ecotoxicological studies and possess the ability to function as good soil bioremediators.

Keywords: Libyodrilusviolaceus, crude oil, spillages, heavy metals, bioaccumulation, bioremediation.

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