Author(s)

Adedoyin Olubunmi Bankole^1*, Akinyemi Olufemi Ogunkeyede¹, Taofik Adewale Adedosu², Uche Udeochu³, Harrison Agboro⁴, Efe Jeffery Isukuru¹

¹Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, College of Science, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ladoke Akintola University, Oyo State, Nigeria.
³Chemistry Program, Division of Science and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
⁴Department of Biology and Environmental Science, College of Arts and Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA.

Crude oil pollution in the Niger Delta, perpetrated by both local communities and industrial actors, has brought about soil pollution with its consequent ecological, human health and food challenges. The purpose of this research was to examine the concentration and distribution of heavy metals in soil from communities contaminated by crude oil in Niger Delta, and to evaluate the potential health risks to residents from exposure to these contaminants. To achieve this, soil samples were collected from the Ihwrekreka community and analyzed for heavy metal content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analytical results in mg/kg revealed a significant metals pollution level derived from the oil spill in the soil ranging from 4.85 - 17,078 (Cu), 1.01 - 16.1 (Cd), 0.22 - 36.8 (Cr), 8.28 - 40.9 (Ni), 7.51 - 6474 (Pb), and 8.84 - 12,851 (Zn) respectively. Most of the metals were above the permissible limits of World Health Organization, with Cu, Zn, and Pb as the most contaminating metals. Lead was found to be the main contributor to the hazard index (HI) values for both children and adults in the study area, with its concentration exceeding the permitted limits set by the WHO and the EC. The hazard index (HI) values of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, and Cr were significantly higher than 1. These findings suggest that the release of heavy metals from an oil-contaminated site may pose a risk to human health and the environment.

Cancer, Exposure Pathway, Toxic Metals, Health Risks

Bankole, A. , Ogunkeyede, A. , Adedosu, T. , Udeochu, U. , Agboro, H. and Isukuru, E. (2024) Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure in Soils of Ihwrekreka Communities, Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 12, 279-303. doi: 10.4236/gep.2024.123015.