This study aimed to determine the impact of artisanal refinery operations on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of soil and water in Igia-Ama, Tombia Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters along with concentrations of heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were determined in soil and water samples using standard methods. Microbial populations were determined using standard plate count. Microbial isolates were identified based on their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Results show that concentrations of monitored physicochemical parameters differed significantly (p<0.05) between impacted sites and control as well as between dry and wet season. Heavy metals, PAHs, TPH, BTEX and PCB concentrations were higher in the impacted sites than in the control (significant, p<0.05), and also differed significantly between dry and wet season. Microbial counts varied between polluted samples and control as well as between dry and wet season, though not significantly different (p>0.05). Bacterial isolates in polluted soil samples were identified as Enterobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Bacteria in polluted water samples were identified as Staphylococcus sp. and Escherichia coli. Fungi in polluted soil samples were identified as Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. Fusarium sp., Rhodotorula sp., Exophiala sp. and Crypotococcus sp. While only Penicillium sp. was isolated in polluted water sample. Artisanal crude oil refinery operations significantly impacted the physicochemical properties of soil and water in the study area but not the microbiological properties. The levels of heavy metals, PAHs, TPH and BTEX in the soil and water suggest the need for remediation of the impacted environment.

Artisanal crude oil refining is an illegal operation thriving in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and their activities are known to cause serious air pollution, evident by incidences of black soot pollution in many parts of this region. This study aimed to ascertain the air quality around artisanal crude oil refinery sites situated in Igia-Ama, Tombia Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria. Air quality assessment was carried out using air quality sensor for physicochemical parameters and settle plate exposure for microbial parameters, monitored for both dry and wet seasons. During the wet season, SOx, NOx, VOC, CH4, CO, CO2,O3, NH3, H2S, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 7, PM10, TSP, Noise, Wind speed, Air temperature, Relative humidity concentration ranged from 0-0.05 ppm, 0.04 - 0.07 ppm, 1004.00 - 1320.00 ppm, 34.33 - 39.67 ppm, 1.33 - 3.00 ppm, 765.00-1556.67 ppm, 0.2 to 0.3 ppm, 0.05 to 0.10 ppm, 0.13 to 0.20 ppm, 15.73 - 0 21.50 µg/m3, 33.53-34.17 µg/m3, 55.47 - 55.93 µg/m3, 64.30 - 67.50 µg/m3, 49.60 - 76.97 µg/m3, 45.63– 48.37dB, 1.13 -1.23 M/S, 28.30 - 29.73oC and 63.13 - 69.23 % respectively. During the dry season, SOx, NOx, VOC, CH4, CO, CO2, O3, NH3, H2S, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 7, PM10, TSP, Noise, Wind speed, Air temperature, Relative humidity concentration ranged from 0.08-0.53 ppm, 0.12 - 0.19 ppm, 1027.33 - 1750.33 ppm, 21.00 - 50.33 ppm, 1.33 – 2.67 ppm, 1226.67-1551540.00 ppm, 0.09 to 0.55 ppm, 0.04 to 0.09 ppm, 0.04 to 0.63 ppm, 26.47 - 33.97 µg/m3, 39.60-51.23 µg/m3, 57.90 - 84.27 µg/m3, 89.13 - 100.17 µg/m3, 128.83 – 170.30 µg/m3, 49.17– 56.73dB, 0.15 -1.97 M/S, 29.07 - 32.57oC and 66.67 - 71.87 % respectively. Results revealed statically significant differences (p<0.05) in air parameters per season (dry and wet) and between impacted sites and control, as regards NOx, VOC, CO2, O3, PM 1, PM 2.5, PM 4, PM 7, PM 10, TSP and noise levels. During the dry season, Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THBC) ranged from 4.4-4.8 log CFU/m3, and Total Fungal Count (TFC) from 4.4-4.8 log CFU/m3. During the wet season THBC ranged from 4.9-5.2 log CFU/m3 and TFC ranged from 2.5-4.6 log CFU/m3. Results revealed no statically significant differences (p<0.05) in microbial count per season (dry and wet) as well as between the polluted sites and control. The bacterial isolates were identified as belonging to five genera: Bacillus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Escherichia, while the fungal isolates belong to three genera: Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. The excessive concentrations of NOx, SOx, and the presence of allergenic and pathogenic microorganisms could pose danger to public health.