Physicochemical and Microbial Composition of Wastewater Samples Collected from a Petrochemical Company in Southern Nigeria

Abstract. The present study investigated the physicochemical and microbial composition of wastewater samples collected from a petrochemical company in Ekpan, Delta State, Nigeria. The aim was to investigate whether these effluent discharges met international standards for safe limits. Waste water samples were collected within the month of April, 2012, from three points, including petrochemical channel (PC), outfall channel (OC) and saver pit (SP). The control was raw water (tap water) for general use in the company. Results showed that following statutory provisions of Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency in 1991 and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment in 1995, waste water samples collected did not pose any environmental risk even when let into open waters. Fungi species identified in the water samples were Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp. Bacteria species included; Micrococus varians, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, Proteus vulgaris and Bacilus pumilis.