Impact of Artisanal Refining on Soil and Human Health: A Case Study of Oyigba Community, River State, Nigeria

• Authors: Bridget E. Diagi , Martin Iwuji , Deborah O. Diagi , Oliver Uchechi , Susan I. Ajiere , David O. Edokpa
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria, distinguished for its ecological diversity, faces serious environmental degradation as a result of artisanal oil refining. This study evaluates the impact of these activities on soil quality, human health and environment in Oyigba community, Rivers State. Soil samples were collected using soil auger from three impacted locations. A total of 12(twelve) samples were collected with sampling depth of 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm. Parameters analyzed include pH, Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the impact of artisanal refining on health of the community. Findings shows notable soil contamination, with lead and cadmium concentration reaching 1.483 mg/kg and 0.061 mg/kg, respectively, however pH value dropped to 6.24 indicating increased acidity. Community health assessment indicates high occurrence of respiratory issues represented by 91.8%, skin irritation with 91.8%, and fatigue represented with 65.6%, associated with long-term exposure to hydrocarbon pollutants. In like manner,83.6% of the respondents reported a reduction in farmland productivity in the area, while 88.5% detected reduced crop yields. Similarly, the respondents signify that cassava with 65.6%, cocoyam with 54.1% and corn with 32.8% were the crops mostly affected by the activities, emphasizing concern on food security in that region. Majority of the respondents 75.4% perceived the overall impact of artisanal refining as negative. This study emphasized the immediate need and attention of regulatory agencies to reduce environmental and health risk linked with artisanal refining by being proactive and ensuring adequate monitoring of vulnerable communities. Policy recommendation includes the restoration of degraded lands, and a sustainable development plan to protect affected populations and restore ecological stability in the community.

Keywords

EN

Artisanal refining; River State; human health; impact; soil pollution

Discipline

• MEDICINE: MEDICINE

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 60
• Pages: 259-279

Contributors

author

Bridget E. Diagi

• Department of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

author

Martin Iwuji

• Department of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

author

Deborah O. Diagi

• Department of Chemical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

author

Oliver Uchechi

• Department of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

author

Susan I. Ajiere

• Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

author

David O. Edokpa

• Department of Geography and Environment, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

References

• [1] Agedah, E. C., Ineyougha, E. R., Izah, S. C., & Orutugu, L. A. (2015). Enumeration of total heterotrophic bacteria and some physico-chemical characteristics of surface water used for drinking sources in Wilberforce Island, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques, 3(1), 28-34
• [2] Alabi OS, Akintayo I, Odeyemi JS, Oloche JJ, Babalola CM, Nwimo C, Popoola O, Mogeni OD, Marks F, Okeke IN. (2024). Suboptimal Bacteriological Quality of Household Water in Municipal Ibadan, Nigeria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 110(2): 346-355. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0134
• [3] Amadi, C. O., & Nworgu, K. G. (2023). Crude oil refining industry: A correlate to health and socio-economic challenges in Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Sociology, 7(2), 18-26
• [4] Bebeteidoh, O. L., Pazouki, K., & Norman, R. (2020). An experimental investigation of the physio-chemical properties of locally refined diesel oil. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 15, 100200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2019.100200
• [5] Beshiru, A., Okareh, O. T., Chigor, V. N., & Igbinosa, E. O. (2018). Assessment of water quality of rivers that serve as water sources for drinking and domestic functions in rural and pre-urban communities in Edo North, Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 190, 387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6771-7
• [6] Coderoni, S., & Perito, M. A. (2020). Sustainable consumption in the circular economy: An analysis of consumers’ purchase intentions for waste-to-value food. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119870
• [7] Dominic, A. A. (2016). Impact of illegal oil business and Nigeria economy: The experience of crude oil theft, bunkering, and pipeline vandalism in the 21st century. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research: Arts, Humanities & Education, 2(8), 1-10
• [8] Donwa, P. A., Mgbame, C. O., & Utomwen, O. A. (2015). Gas flaring in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. International Journal of Commerce and Management Research, 1(1), 28-39
• [9] Ejiba, I. V., Onya, S. C., & Adams, O. K. (2016). Impact of oil pollution on livelihood: Evidence from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research & Reports, 12(5), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.9734/JSRR/2016/26633
• [10] Elenwo, E., & Urho, C. (2017). Challenges and prospects of enforcement of environmental laws in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 19, 1-29. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2017/31447
• [11] Gift, R. A., Raimi, M. O., Owobi, O. E., Oluwakemi, R. M., Anu, B., & Funmilayo, A. A. (2020). Nigerians crying for availability of electricity and water: A key driver to life coping measures for deepening stay at home inclusion to slow COVID-19 spread. Open Access Journal of Science, 4(3), 69-80
• [12] Hart, A. O. (2024). Integration of modular and artisanal refinings (Kpofire) into the downstream oil sector in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management, 10(5), 88-103. https://doi.org/10.56201/ijgem.v10.no5.2024.pg88.103
• [13] Igbeneghu, O.A., Lamikanra, A. The bacteriological quality of different brands of bottled water available to consumers in Ile-Ife, south-western Nigeria. BMC Res Notes 7, 859 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-7-859
• [14] Ikezam, P., Elenwo, E. I., & Oyegun, C. U. (2021). Effects of artisanal refinery on the environment, public health and socio-economic development of communities in the Niger Delta Region. Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, 10(3), 97-109. https://doi.org/10.5296/emsd.v10i3.18921
• [15] Ite, A. E., Ibok, U. J., Ite, M. U., & Petters, S. W. (2013). Petroleum exploration and production: Past and present environmental issues in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. American Journal of Environmental Protection 1(4), 78-90. doi: 10.12691/env-1-4-2
• [16] Izah, S. C., & Srivastav, A. L. (2015). Level of arsenic in potable water sources in Nigeria and their potential health impacts: A review. Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques, 3(1), 15-24
• [17] Izah, S. C., Aigberua, A. O., & Srivastav, A. L. (2022). Factors influencing the alteration of microbial and heavy metal characteristics of river systems in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In S. Madhav, S. Kanhaiya, A. L. Srivastav, V. B. Singh, & P. Singh (Eds.), Ecological significance ecosystem: Challenges of river and management (pp. 51–78). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85045-2.00005-4
• [18] Izah, S. C., Chakrabarty, N., & Srivastav, A. L. (2016). A review on heavy metal concentration in potable water sources in Nigeria: Human health effects and mitigating measures. Exposure and Health, 8, 285-304.
• [19] Izah, S. C., Ngun, C. T., & Richard, G. (2022). Microbial quality of groundwater in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Health implications and effective treatment technologies. In A. L. Srivastav, S. Madhav, A. K. Bhardwaj, & E. Valsami-Jones (Eds.), Urban water crisis strategies and management for sustainable development (pp. 149–172). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91838-1.00010-5
• [20] Kadafa, A. A. (2012). Environmental impacts of oil exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research: Environment & Earth Sciences 12, 3
• [21] Murray, G. E., Tobin, R. S., Junkins, B., & Kushner, D. J. (1984). Effect of chlorination on antibiotic resistance profiles of sewage-related bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 48(1), 73-77. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.48.1.73-77.1984
• [22] Ogamba, E. N., Izah, S. C., & Toikumo, B. P. (2015). Water quality and levels of lead and mercury in Eichhornia crassipes from a tidal creek receiving abattoir effluent in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Continental Journal of Environmental Science, 9(1), 13-25
• [23] Ogamba, E. N., Seiyaboh, E. I., Izah, S. C., Ogbugo, I., & Demedongha, F. K. (2015). Water quality, phytochemistry, and proximate constituents of Eichhornia crassipes from Kolo Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 4(9), 77-84
• [24] Olayemi, A. B. (1994). Bacteriological water assessment of an urban river in Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 4(3), 156-164. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603129409356813
• [25] Onuh, P. A., Omenma, T. J., Onyishi, C. J., Udeogu, C. U., Nkalu, N. C., & Iwuoha, V. O. (2022). Artisanal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta: A challenge to clean-up and remediation in Ogoniland. Local Economy, 36(6), 468-486. https://doi.org/10.1177/02690942211071075
• [26] Pontara, A. V., de Oliveira, C. D., Barbosa, A. H., Dos Santos, R. A., Pires, R. H., & Martins, C. H. (2011). Microbiological monitoring of mineral water commercialized in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 42(2), 554–559. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1517-838220110002000020
• [27] Raimi, M. O., Abiola, I., Alima, O., & Omini, D. E. (2021). Exploring how human activities disturb the balance of biogeochemical cycles: Evidence from the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Research on World Agricultural Economy, 2(3), 23-44
• [28] Raimi, M. O., Ezekwe, C., Bowale, A., & Samson, T. (2022). Hydrogeochemical and multivariate statistical techniques to trace the sources of groundwater contaminants and affecting factors of groundwater pollution in an oil and gas producing wetland in Rivers State, Nigeria. Open Journal of Yangtze Oil and Gas, 7, 166-202
• [29] Raimi, M. O., Iyingiala, A. A., Sawyerr, O. H., Saliu, A. O., Ebuete, A. W., Emberru, R. E., Sanchez, N. D., & Osungbemiro, W. B. (2022). Leaving no one behind: Impact of soil pollution on biodiversity in the Global South: A global call for action. In S. C. Izah (Ed.), Biodiversity in Africa: Potentials, Threats, and Conservation (pp. 205–237). Springer, Singapore.
• [30] Raimi, M. O., Nimisngha, D., Odipe, O. E., & Olalekan, A. S. (2018). Health risk assessment on heavy metals ingestion through groundwater drinking pathway for residents in an oil and gas producing area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Open Journal of Yangtze Oil and Gas, 3, 191-206
• [31] Raimi, M. O., Odipe, O. E., Anu, B., Omini, D. E., Akpojubaro, E. H., & Owobi, O. E. (2020). Leaving no one behind? Drinking water challenge on the rise in Niger Delta region of Nigeria: A review. Merit Research Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology, 6(1), 031-049
• [32] Raimi, M. O., Sawyerr, H. O., Ezekwe, C. I., & Opasola, A. O. (2022). Quality water, not everywhere: Assessing the hydrogeochemistry of water quality across Ebocha-Obrikom oil and gas flaring area in the core Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Pollution, 8(3), 751-778
• [33] Richard, G., Izah, S. C., & Ogwu, M. C. (2022). Implications of artisanal crude oil refining on sustainable food production in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Bioremediation and Toxicology, 5(2), 69-77. https://doi.org/10.54987/jebat.v5i2.775
• [34] Richard, G., Raimi, M. O., & Iyingiala, A.-A. (2023). Public and environmental health implications of artisanal petroleum refining and risk reduction strategies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Biological Research & Biotechnology, 21(1), 1896-1910

• Document Type: article