Evaluation of carbonate crash and contents of heavy metals and rare earth elements in ditch cutting samples from some oil wells of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Issue 3 (14th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fadiya, S. L.; Oyekunle, J. A. O.; Ore, O. T.; Adeoye, A. A.
• Is Part Of: Environmental forensics. Volume 23:Issue 3/4(2022)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 333
• Publication Date: 2022-07-14
• Subjects: Carbonate -- characterization -- heavy metals -- Niger Delta -- oil wells -- rare earth element; Environmental forensics -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Environmental law -- Periodicals; Enquêtes environnementales -- Périodiques; 363.25945
• DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2020.1850561
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-5922

Abstract

Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate the extent of carbonate crash in some Niger Delta oil wells and the levels of heavy metals (HMs) and rare earth elements (REEs) as useful fingerprinting tools in the characterization of the oil wells. Thirty-nine (39) rock samples were collected from three (3) oil wells in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The carbonate contents were determined using Chittick apparatus while the elemental concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results of the study indicated that the carbonate contents of the rock samples decreased with increasing depth, due to a possible higher-than-average dissolution of CaCO3 and/or excess bio-SiO2 production. Among the investigated HMs, manganese had the highest mean concentration while nickel had the lowest mean concentration. Cerium had the highest mean concentration while lanthanum had the lowest mean concentration among the REEs. Mean V/Ni ratios of Oil Well 1 (3.21) indicated marine organic matter input while Oil Well 2 (2.47), and Oil Well 3 (2.16) indicated organic matter input of both marine and terrestrial sources. V/(V + Ni) ratios (>0.5) of the oil wells indicated that the organic matter was deposited under anoxic conditions. Variations in the distribution patterns of HMs, REEs, and carbonate content of the rock samples of Niger Delta oil wells indicated that the organic matter source and depositional environment were quite similar.