Toxicological assessment of marine sediment in oil spilled impacted area of Nembe, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the level heavy metal and health risk associated with marine sediment impacted with oil spill from Santa Barbara River, Nembe. Chemical analysis assessments of the marine sediments were investigated for different heavy metals Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Mercury (Hg) respectively using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentration of the marine sediment was found to be highest for Cr (24.03 ± 0.24), followed by Pb (1.53 ± 0.03) and Ni (3.93 ± 0.03) mg/kg respectively, while Hg was below detection limit. The result shows the heavy metals were below the recommended value stipulated by USEPA and RMENSR with exception of chromium which exceeded maximum permissible limit. This study recommended that there should be continuous monitoring of (Cr, Pb Ni and Hg) levels in sediments of Santa Barbara River to assess the risk of these metals in the river.

Toxicological Evaluation of Selected Seafoods and Water from Akpajo, Rivers State

“…While Life cancer Risks and Total Life Cancer Risks were used to evalute the probable carcinogenic risks the exposed adult and children population are prone to. These risk assessments were evaluated using methods described by Nyimone et al, 2023 andIghariemu et al, 2023)…”

“…This makes it healthier and safer for consumption (Astawan and Ikan, 2004). Quest for wealth, urbanization and industrialization have lead to high environmental pollution (Olua et al, 2018;Nyimone et al, 2023) this no doubt has pose a major threat to the sea food consumption as the aquatic environment; the major niche for these sea foods in most cases are heavily polluted (Ighariemu et al, 2023). These sea foods seen within the aquatic habitat are substantial bio-indicator of toxic substances such as heavy metals, as they have been seen to be viable bio-accumulator of inorganic and organic pollutants (King and Jonathan, 2003).…”

“…Heavy metal contents in sea foods may vary according to the surrounding environment (Ambedkar and Muniyan, 2011;Sen et al, 2011). Several studies have shown presence of heavy metals in sea foods caught within some Rivers in the Niger Delta (Abowei and Ogamba, 2013;Alinnor and Obiji, 2010;Ighariemu et al, 2023). Akpajo is one of the major communities in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State with high industrial activities which have impacted negatively to the surrounding land and water.…”