Davies Ibienebo Chris, Parashuram Kallem, Khang Wen Goh, Fathurrahman Lananan, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari, Mohamad Nor Azra, Okechukwu Kenneth Wokeh
This study evaluates the surface water quality of Bundu-Ama creek in Rivers State, Nigeria, which is impacted by artisanal crude oil refining activities. The area is characterized by mangrove swamps and mudflats and is subject to pollution from industrial waste and illegal oil bunkering. Water samples were collected monthly over six months from three stations, spaced 1,000 meters apart, representing upstream, midstream, and downstream sections. Physicochemical parameters analyzed included pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Co, Ni, Fe, Pb, Zn, As) were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and hydrocarbons (Total Hydrocarbons [THC], Oil and Grease, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons [PAH]) were analyzed using gas chromatography. Results showed pH values between 7.22 and 7.28 and temperatures from 30.15°C to 30.32°C, with EC and TDS exceeding WHO guidelines, indicating ionic contamination. Heavy metals like Cd (0.23–0.28 mg/L) and Pb (0.29–0.31 mg/L) exceeded safety limits, suggesting ongoing pollution. PAH concentrations (0.28–0.37 mg/L) were above WHO and NSDWQ limits, highlighting significant health risks. Correlation analysis revealed strong relationships, such as between EC and TDS (r=1.000), indicating shared pollution sources. These findings underscore the need for regulatory interventions and remediation strategies to mitigate environmental and health impacts in the region. © The Author(s).
Department of Fisheries, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Rivers State, P.M.B. 5323, Choba, 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, P.O. Box 59911, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Engineering, Shinawatra University, Pathum Thani, Samkhok, Thailand; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; School of Animal Sciences, Aquatic and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, Terengganu, Besut, 22200, Malaysia; Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kelantan, Jeli, 17600, Malaysia; Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 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, P.M.B 5323, Rivers State, Choba, Nigeria
