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Soil and Wastewater Characteristics in Oil-polluted Environment of Egbema, Southeast Nigeria.

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2026 ASABE Annual International Meeting  2600403.(doi:10.13031/aim.202600403)
Authors:   Gregory Chukwudi Obiechefu, Evans Chukwudi Ohaji, Suffix (Jr., III, etc.), Emerson Dimgba Kodak
Keywords:   Egbema, heavy metal, hydrocarbon, pollution, wastewater

Abstract Improper management of oil-producing activities frequently leads to pollution and ecological harm. The Egbema community has suffered extensive contamination of its soil and water resources from both oil companies and illegal bunkering operations. This research aimed to quantify soil contamination levels from oil-producing activities and evaluate the quality of wastewater discharged into adjacent water bodies. Soil and wastewater samples were collected following standard procedures. Soil samples were taken in duplicate from four locations using a randomized design, while wastewater was collected from two identified point-sources. All samples were transported to the laboratory in ice-packed containers for immediate analysis. Both soil and wastewater samples were found to be acidic, with pH values below 5.5. Various heavy metals were detected in differing concentrations in both sample types. Lead (Pb) concentrations in soil ranged from 0.62 to 0.75 mg/kg, while cadmium (Cd) ranged from 0.003 to 0.04 mg/kg. The soil was heavily polluted with hydrocarbons, showing total petroleum content from 15.3 to 62.5 mg/l. The extent of petroleum pollution varied significantly across the study area, reflecting different levels of oil-related activities. Wastewater samples also exhibited substantial hydrocarbon pollution. Total petroleum hydrocarbon in wastewater ranged from 7.7 to 17.8 mg/l, considerably exceeding the permissible limit of 0.05 ppm for unpolluted water. Lead and cadmium concentrations were found to be 6 times and 4 times, respectively, above their recommended thresholds of 0.01 mg/l and 0.005 mg/l. Nickel (Ni) was 8 times higher than its 0.02 mg/l threshold. These findings underscore the urgent need for remediation efforts.

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