present status of surface water quality impacted by artisanal crude oil contamination in a coastal community in rivers state, nigeria

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.