Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

A field study was conducted to investigate the effects of gas flaring on the physico-chemical characteristics of rainwater within the flare area. Free fall rainwater samples were collected with a rainfall collector mounted 2m above ground level to avoid rain splash effect. Temperature (°C), pH, electrical conductivity EC, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO₃), nitrite (NO₂), (Pb), chloride, phosphorus and SO₄^2- were determined. Rainwater was then compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). Pb was found to be 0.07mg/l, 0.02mg/l and pH 6.09 and 6.17 at 60 and 200m sampling distance and show marked concentration (Pb 0.01mg/l and pH 6.5 to 8.5) above the maximum allowable standard. The temperatures ranged from 29.0 – 29.8  were found outside the range of the WHO standard (25) which also indicated higher level of pollution. EC, chloride, TDS, nitrate and nitrite were below the (WHO) and (NSDWQ) limits for consumption. Phosphorous and SO₄ were not specified. The findings from the study revealed that gas flaring has impacted negatively on rainwater quality. The temperature of the flare as on the 5^th December, 2016 at 01: 33 p.m taken at the control room of the flaring site was recorded as 39.84. The surface air temperature has increased within the vicinity of Edo gas flare when compared with the mean normal daily temperature of the study area which is 28.8. Some of the general effects of the gas flared as observed within Edo Esit-Eket include the stunted growth of cassava, plantain, palm trees, yams and other crops planted within the flare area.  It is concluded that gas should be collected and put to use for powering electricity generation devices or liquefied and bottled for domestic and industrial purposes. By so doing gas is seen as another service of fuel as this will go a long way to save our environment from pollution. This will also help to reduce its effect on human health and animals.