Impact of Gas Flaring on Rainwater Quality and Public Health: A Study of Soku Community, Rivers State, Nigeria

This study assessed the rain water quality in a Gas flaring Environment as well as the health implication for Soku community in Rivers State, Nigeria. In-situ measurements and analysis of pH, turbidity, colour, electrical conductivity and temperature were done. Eight sampling points were chosen randomly within the strategic study location and control of 500m to 5000m from gas flare point. The points were designated as A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Points A, B, C, D are 500m, 1000m, 2000m and 5000m away from the gas flare point and were chosen to show variations in rainwater quality parameters with respect to distance from flare point. Point D served as control location. Points E, F, G were randomly chosen within 500m to 2000m from flare point to show effects on various roofs. Plastic buckets sterilized by rinsing with tap water, chromic acid, 1:1 Nitric acid and finally with distilled water was used to collect rainwater samples on a stand of about 1.5m to avoid splash water contamination. Soil samples were collected from eight different locations and labeled sample location A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. The samples collected were stored in 2 liter plastic bottles properly rinsed and labeled. The samples for calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, hardness, TSS and TDS were preserved at temperature of 40C using the Rubbermaid model FG2A0904MODBL-5 QUART Personal ice chest cooler for a maximum holding time of 24 hours. The samples for heavy metal analysis were preserved by adding 2ml conc. HNO3I-1 solution to the sampling bottle before storing the sample to ensure that all composites were well preserved. Samples were taken the laboratory and analyzed using standard methods. The research combined experimental and descriptive survey designs. The experimental design was used to collect data on physicochemical characteristics of rainwater and field data while the descriptive survey design was used to collect secondary data on meteorological elements and primary data from a well-structured Likert 4-point scale close ended questionnaire instrument. Meteorological Data: Weather conditions for six months was extracted from secondary data spanning over ten years from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET). Temperature, wind speed and wind directions of sampling points were obtained using the appropriate instruments. Results showed that in Soku Community the first rain is the most polluted followed by the late rain while the mid rain is least, polluted due to discharge of gases and particulates from the atmosphere via washout, rainout, and dilution. It is therefore recommended that government regulatory agencies should put appropriate measures in place to monitor the quantity of gas emissions into the environment and also set and implement polluter pay principle for polluting industries and facilities.