The Potential Corrosiveness of Soil Physico- Chemical Properties on Pipelines

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the potential corrosiveness of selected soil physicochemical properties on pipelines.

Study Design: Soil samples were randomly collected around five pipeline locations with control from a farmland.

Duration of Study: The study lasted for three months.

Methodology: Standard methods were adopted in the collection of samples and the determination of the physicochemical properties of the samples.

Results: Metallic pipelines undergo more regular corrosion because they are used in environments like soil where they are chemically unstable. Soil physicochemical properties such as soil moisture, texture, pH and temperature, sulphate, chloride, redox potential and resistivity were determined. The pH of the five soil samples was acidic (pH =4.0 – 6.5), The highest moisture content was 22.88% while the lowest was 9.84%. The soil samples the potential of being corrosive to the buried galvanized-steel and cast-iron pipes. Delta Steel Company (DSC) roundabout had the highest sulphate content of 724.13 mg/kg while the lowest was Oleh with 156.14 mg/kg. The highest percentage of Total Organic Carbon was 0.52% and the lowest was 0.40%.

Conclusion: Besides pipeline vandalization, pipeline corrosion may likely be one of the major causes of oil spillage in localized underground pipelines within the region. There is, therefore, an urgent need for computerized sensors to assist in the monitoring of underground pipeline integrity in Nigeria.