Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An integrated investigation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ahoada area, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

  • GIS Applied to Soil-Agricultural Health for Environmental Sustainability
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigates hydrocarbon pollution in the Ahoada community of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study uses a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping oil spill hotspots in the region. The resistivity method was used to delineate the extent of hydrocarbon pollution to a depth of 19.7 m in the Ahoada area of the region. Three categories of soil samples, impacted soil (IMS), remediated soil (RS), and control soil (CS), were collected and analyzed for the presence of BTEX, PAH, TPH, TOC, and TOG. The concentrations of the samples from the IMS and RS were compared to that of the CS to determine the extent of pollution. The GIS mapping shows that the most polluted areas in the Niger Delta Region are Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states. Results of the geophysical images revealed contaminants’ presence to depths beyond 20 m at some locations in the study area. The highest depth of contaminant travel was at Ukperede. Soil samples’ analysis showed that the range of concentrations of TPH in IMS at Oshie was 17.27–58.36 mg/kg; RS was 11.73–50.78 mg/kg which were higher than the concentrations of 0.68 mg/kg in the CS. PAHs are more prevalent in Ukperede, ranging from 54.56 to 77.54 mg/kg. BTEX concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.38 mg/kg for IMP and 0.01–2.7 mg/kg for RS against a CS value of 0.01 mg/kg. The study revealed that there are characteristically high resistivity values in the samples which were corroborated by the findings from the resistivity survey. TOC was found to be higher in the IMS and RS than in the CS, demonstrating that a significant quantity of the hydrocarbon has undergone appreciable decomposition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data underlining this study is available upon request through the corresponding author.

References

  • Aigberua A, mozemoje, et al (2017) Assessment of some selected heavy metals and their pollution indices in an oil spill contaminated soil in the Niger Delta: a case of Rumuolukwu community. Biotechnol Res 3(1):11–19

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alboiu V, Walker TR (2019) Pollution, management, and mitigation of idle and orphaned oil and gas wells in Alberta Canada. Environ Monit Assess 191(10):611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anejionu OCD, Ahiarammunnah PAN, Nri-ezedi CJ (2015) Hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta: geographies of impacts and appraisal of lapses in extant legal framework. Resour Policy 45:65–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2015.03.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atakpo EA (2013) Aquifer vulnerability investigation using geoelectrical method in parts of Sapela local government area of Delta State. Nigeria Niger J Basic Appl Sci 21:11–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Atakpo EA (2013) Resistivity imaging of crude oil spill in Oguhala coastal community, Burutu L. G. a, Delta State, Nigeria 15:97–101

  • Al-weshah YYRA (2016) Gulf war contamination assessment for optimal monitoring and remediation cost-benefit analysis Kuwait. Environ Earth Sci 75:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6025-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Awosika L (1995) Impacts of global climate change and sea level rise on coastal resources and energy development in Nigeria. In: Umolu JC (ed) Global Climate Change: Impact on Energy Development. DAMTECH Nigeria Limited, Nigeria

  • Bayramov E, Knee K, Kada M, Buchroithner M (2018) Using multiple satellite observations to quantitatively assess and model oil pollution and predict risks and consequences to shoreline from oil platforms in the Caspian Sea. Hum Ecol Risk Assess Int J 24(6):1501–1514. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2017.1416454

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benson AK, Payne KL, Stubben MA (1997) Mapping groundwater contamination using DC resistivity and VLF geophysical methods–a case study. Geophysics 62:80–86. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1444148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brahmi S, Baali F, Hadji R et al (2021) Assessment of groundwater and soil pollution by leachate using electrical resistivity and induced polarization imaging survey, case of Tebessa municipal landfill. NE Algeria Arab J Geosci 14:249. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06571-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter A (2019) Oil pollution in the North Sea: the impact of governance measures on oil pollution over several decades. Hydrobiologia 845(1):109–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chima UD, Adedeji GA, Uloho KO (2013) Preliminary assessment of the soil impact of charcoal production in Rivers State Nigeria. Ethiop J Environ Stud Manag 6:285–293. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejesm.v6i3.9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ejiba IV, Onya SC, and Adams OK (2016) Impact of oil pollution on livelihood: evidence from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports 1–12. https://doi.org/10.9734/JSRR/2016/26633

  • Elum ZA, Mopipi K, Henri-Ukoha A (2016) Oil exploitation and its socioeconomic effects on the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23(13):12880–12889

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Enuneku A, Ogbeide O, Okpara B, Kubeyinje BF, Job O, Asemota CO, Imoobe T, Ezemonye LI (2020) Ingestion and dermal cancer risk via exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soils in an oil producing community Niger Delta Nigeria. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 261–271. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4906

  • Ehirim CN, Adizua OF, Okorie IPC (2016) Geoelectrical characterization of matured petroleum hydrocarbon impacted soil in Port Harcourt. Nigeria Asian J Earth Sci 9:9–15. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajes.2016.9.15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egberongbe F, Nwilo P, Badejo O (2006) Oil spill disaster monitoring along Nigerian coastline” Paper presented at. 5th FIG Regional Conference: Promoting Land Administration and Good Governance”. Citeseer. 5th FIG Reg Conf 2006:8–11

  • Ezirim GE (2018) Oil crimes, national security, and the Nigerian state, 1999–2015. Japanese J Political Sci 19(1):80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Günther T, Rücker C (2012) Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in geophysical applications - state of the art and future challenges. Schlumberger Symp -- 100 Years Electr Imaging, Paris 2–6

  • Gitipour S, Sorial GA, Ghasemi S, Bazyari M (2018) Treatment technologies for PAH-contaminated sites: a critical review. Environ Monit Assess 190(9):546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson E, Kulessa B, Edwards P, William T, Walsh R (2018) Integrated hydrological and geophysical characterisation of surface and subsurface water contamination at abandoned metal mines. Water Air Soil Pollut 229:256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-018-3880-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ite AE et al (2013) Petroleum exploration and production: past and present environmental issues in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Am J Environ Protect 1(4):78–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IUCN-Panel (2013) Sustainable remediation and rehabilitation of biodiversity and habitats of oil spill sites in the Niger Delta: main report including recommendations for the future. A report by the independent IUCN–Niger Delta Panel (IUCN–NDP) to the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC)

  • Kankara RS, Arockiaraj S, Prabhu K (2016) Environmental sensitivity mapping and risk assessment for oil spill along the Chennai Coast in India. Mar Pollut Bull 106:95e103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.03.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kadafa AA (2012) Oil exploration and spillage in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Civ Environ Res 2:38–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostianoy AG, Lavrova OY, and Solovyov DM (2014) Oil pollution in coastal waters of Nigeria. In Remote Sensing of the African Seas. Pp. 149–165: Springer

  • Loke MH, Barker RD (1996) Rapid least-squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudo sections by a quasi-Newton method 1. Geophys Prospect 44(1):131–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu J, Udofia EA, Ekong I, Ebuk G (2016) Health risks associated with oil pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13:1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) (2006) Oil spills on-line records. https://nosdra.oilspillmonitor.ng/. Accessed on 22/10/2021

  • Obida CB et al (2018) Quantifying the exposure of humans and the environment to oil pollution in the Niger Delta using advanced Geostatistical techniques. Environ Int 111:32–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogboghodo I, Iruaga E, Osemwota IO, Chokor JU (2004) An assessment of the effects of crude oil pollution on soil properties, germination and growth of maize (Zea mays) using two crude types–Forcados light and Escravos. Environ Monit 143–52. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:emas.0000031723.62736.24

  • Onyena AP, Sam K (2020) A review of the threat of oil exploitation to mangrove ecosystem: insights from Niger Delta Nigeria. Global Ecol Conserv 22:e00961

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osuji LC, Onojake CM (2004) Trace heavy metals associated with crude oil: a case study of ebocha-8 oil-spill-polluted site in Niger Delta, Nigeria of normal geological phenomena such as ore formation, weathering of rocks, and excessive release of these metals into the environment 1:1708–15

  • Polyak YM, Bakina LG, Chugunova MV, Mayachkina NV, Gerasimov AO, Bure VM (2018) Effect of remediation strategies on biological activity of oil-contaminated soil – a field study. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation 126:57–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raji WO, Adeoye TO (2017) Geophysical mapping of contaminant leachate around a reclaimed open dumpsite. J King Saud Univ - Sci 29:348–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2016.09.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raji WO, Obadare IG, Odukoya MA, Johnson LM (2018) Electrical resistivity mapping of oil spills in a coastal environment of Lagos, Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 11:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3470-1

  • Sam K, Coulon F, Prpich G (2017) A multi-attribute methodology for the prioritisation of oil contaminated sites in the Niger Delta. Sci Total Environ 579:1323–1332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shao S, Gao C, Guo X, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Yu L, Tang H (2019) Mapping the contaminant plume of an abandoned hydrocarbon disposal site with geophysical and geochemical methods, Jiangsu, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:24645–24657. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05780-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shevnin V, Delgado-Rodríguez O, Fernandez-Linares L, Zegarra Martínez H, Mousatov A, Ryjov A (2005) Geoelectrical characterization of an oil-contaminated site in Tabasco Mexico. Geofis Int 44:251–263

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shiru S, Shiru MS (2021) Towards commercialization of third-generation biofuel industry for sustainable energy production in Nigeria. ChemBioEng Rev 8(6):1–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/cben.202100015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon L, George-West O, Alalibo IK (2017) Environmental pollution in the Niger Delta and consequential challenges to sustainable development of the region: the role of an individual. Researcher 9(8):10–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolulope A (2004) Oil exploration and environmental degradation: the Nigerian experience. Environmental Informatics Archives 2 387–393

  • Ukoli MK (2001) Environmental factors in the management of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. https://www.cbn.gov.ng/OUT/PUBLICATIONS/OCCASIONALPAPERS/RD/2001/OWE-01-2.PDF. Accessed: November, 2020

  • Umar HA, Abdul Khanan MF, Ogbonnaya C, Shiru MS, Ahmad A, Baba AI (2021) Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of pipeline transport interdiction in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Heliyon 7:e06999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06999

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (2011) Environmental impact Assessment of Ogoni Land. Accessed October 26, 2020 at https://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/OEA/UNEPOEA.pdf

  • Win Z et al (2011) Geophysical investigation using resistivity and GPR: a case study of an oil spill site at Seberang Prai, Penang

  • Yakubu O (2017) Addressing environmental health problems in Ogoniland through implementation of United Nations Environment Program Recommendations: Environmental Management Strategies. Environments 4:28. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4020028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeeles A, Akporiaye A (2016) Risk and resilience in the Nigerian oil sector: the economic effects of pipeline sabotage and theft. Energy Policy 88:187–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zabbey N, Sam K, Onyebuchi AT (2017) Remediation of contaminated lands in the Niger Delta, Nigeria: prospects and challenges. Sci Total Environ 586:952–965

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors will like to extend their profound gratitude and appreciation to the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency and Shell Petroleum PLC for making the data available for this research.

Funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) Fundamental research grant scheme (FRGS) (Ref: FRGS/1/2020/WAB07/UTM/02/5) and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University Dutse, P.M.B 7156, Dutse, Nigeria

    Hafiz Aminu Umar & Mohammed Sanusi Shiru

  2. Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, Baze University Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

    Hafiz Aminu Umar

  3. Department of Geoinformation, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi, 81310, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan, Anuar Ahmad, Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman & Ami Hassan Md din

Authors
  1. Hafiz Aminu Umar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammed Sanusi Shiru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anuar Ahmad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ami Hassan Md din
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization: Hafiz Aminu Umar and Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan; formal analysis: Hafiz Aminu Umar, Mohammed Sanusi Shiru, Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan, and Anuar Ahmad; methodology: Hafiz Aminu Umar, Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdurrahman, and Ami Hassan Md din; writing – original draft: Hafiz Aminu Umar, Mohammed Sanusi Shiru, and Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan; writing – review and editing: Hafiz Aminu Umar, Mohd Faisal Abdul Khanan, Mohammed Sanusi Shiru, Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdurrahman, Ami Hassan Md din, and Anuar Ahmad.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hafiz Aminu Umar.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

All authors consented to participation in the research.

Consent for publication

All authors consented to the publication of the article.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Umar, H.A., Khanan, M.F.A., Shiru, M.S. et al. An integrated investigation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ahoada area, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 116848–116859 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25144-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25144-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation