Davies Ibienebo Chris, Parashuram Kallem, Khang Wen Goh, Fathurrahman Lananan, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari, Nova Amalia Sakina, Mohamad Nor Azra, Davies Imachrist Ibienebo
Industrial activities and inadequate waste management in the Niger Delta have led to the accumulation of toxic metals in sediments, posing persistent ecological threats. This study assessed contamination and ecological risks at three sites in the region, focusing on six metals: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu). Contamination was evaluated using several indices including the Contamination Factors (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Contamination Quantification (QoC). Among the sites, Site 3 exhibited the highest contamination levels, particularly for Cd, with a CF of 2.8, a PLI of 1.393, and a QoC of 46.43%. At this site, Cd also showed an Igeo of 0.562, indicating moderate pollution, and an EF of 6.36. At Site 2, Pb and Zn exhibited lower contamination levels, with CF values of 0.01476 and 0.01269, respectively, and a QoC of 35.48%. The Cd posed the most significant ecological risk at Site 3, with a potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) of 16.18. These findings highlight industrial discharges as a major source of contamination. Immediate pollution control measures and improved waste management practices are essential to protect the sediment quality and maintain ecosystem health of the Niger Delta. © 2026 Jordan Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences. All rights reserved
Department of Fisheries, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Choba, Rivers State, Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Nigeria; Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia; Department of Environmental and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, 59911, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Engineering, Shinawatra University, Pathum Thani, Samkhok, 12160, Thailand; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, 25131, Indonesia; School of Animal Sciences, Aquatic and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Besut Campus, 22200, Malaysia; Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kelantan, Jeli, 17600, Malaysia; School of Environmental Science, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia; Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Malaysia; Research Center for Marine and Land Bioindustry, Earth Sciences and Maritime Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Lombok, 83352, Indonesia; Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Choba, P.M.B 5323, Nigeria
