ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE IMPACT OF OIL AND GAS ON ENVIRONMENTAL EXPLOITATION

This paper assessed the impact of the oil and gas exploitation of the xyz in the Niger Delta region. The Niger Delta region is best known as a region that sustains much oil exploration and exploitation by the agent of western economic power. The Niger Delta region basin is considered as the mainstay of the Nigeria economy for its significantly high level of the oil reserves. The revenue and incomes generated by the petroleum industry have contributed to
the well-being of Nigeria. There have been cases of oil spillage reported leaving the people completely impoverished with no meaningful alternative source of livelihood .This study was designed to investigate the impact of crude oil exploitation in producing communities by accessing the extent to which it has led to environmental degradation such as heavy metal exposure. This investigation was done by carrying out a comparative study on the producing and non-oil producing communities. To achieve this objective the soil, plant and produced water[effluent] were collected from the oil and non-oil producing communities and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry for copper, iron, cadmium, lead, zinc, and magnesium respectively and comparing with WHO standard. The result showed a significant relationship between oil exploitation and environmental degradation in the community. In view of these finding remediation method must be adopted to safeguard the communities. The data will be useful for future monitoring of heavy metal exposure in the communities.