RUDN Journal of Ecology and Life SafetyRUDN Journal of Ecology and Life SafetyВестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: Экология и безопасность жизнедеятельности2313-23102408-8919Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University)4366010.22363/2313-2310-2025-33-1-87-102DMYUWMShort announcementsКраткие сообщенияResearch ArticleCarcinogenic contaminants in groundwater in the Ebocha and Mgbede oil fields of Southern NigeriaКанцерогенные загрязнения в подземных водах нефтяных месторождений Эбоча и Мгбеде на юге НигерииIkwulemenzeMazico HenryИквулемензеМазико ГенриPostgraduate research student, Department of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciencesаспирант-исследователь, факультет экологического менеджмента, Школа наук об окружающей средеlemenzemazico@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9573-5178EzekweIfeanyichukwu ClintonЭзеквеИфеанийчукву Клинтон

Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Management, Department of Geography and Environmental Management

доцент, факультет географии и экологического менеджмента

clinton.ezekwe@uniport.edu.ngEmereibeoleEnos IhediohammaЭмерибеолеЭнос ИхедиохаммаDepartment of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciencesфакультет экологического менеджмента Школы наук об окружающей средеenos.emereibeole@futo.edu.ngMgbeahuruikeLeonard UdochiМгбеахуруикеЛеонард УдочиDepartment of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciencesфакультет экологического менеджмента Школы наук об окружающей средеleonard.mgbeahuruike@futo.edu.ngNwachukwuJoseph IkechukwuНвачуквуДжозеф ИкечуквуDepartment of Environmental Management, School of Environmental Sciencesфакультет экологического менеджмента Школы наук об окружающей средеjoseph.nwachukwu@futo.edu.ngFederal University of Technology OwerriФедеральный технологический университет ОверриUniversity of Port Harcourt NigeriaУниверситет Порт-Харкорта010420253318710205042025Copyright ©; 2025, Ikwulemenze M.H., Ezekwe I.C., Emereibeole E.I., Mgbeahuruike L.U., Nwachukwu J.I.Copyright ©; 2025, Иквулемензе М.Г., Эзекве И.К., Эмерибеоле Э.И., Мгбеахуруике Л.У., Нвачукву Д.И.2025Ikwulemenze M.H., Ezekwe I.C., Emereibeole E.I., Mgbeahuruike L.U., Nwachukwu J.I.Иквулемензе М.Г., Эзекве И.К., Эмерибеоле Э.И., Мгбеахуруике Л.У., Нвачукву Д.И.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0https://journals.rudn.ru/ecology/article/view/43660

In accordance with the purpose and objectives of this study, standard methods were applied with the aim and objectives of this study, standard methods were applied in evaluating groundwater contamination from an oil waste pit in the Mgbede and Ebocha Oil Fields of South-south Nigeria. The study attempted to determine the composition of the oil waste pit and how it affected groundwater by using hydrogeochemical methods. It was discovered that the Oil waste pit contained an acidic pH, a very negative redox potential, borderline zinc concentration and above limits cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration. The study discovered a widespread ubiquity of above limits concentrations of PAHs in the whole of the study area. Groundwater in the study area was characterised by unacceptable levels of acidity, oxygen reduction potential (ORP), PAHs, cadmium and borderline cases of zinc contamination which can cause serious public health problems and major health risks including exposure to cancer. Provision of an alternative water sources to the inhabitants of this oil field was among recommendations.

Цель исследования - определение состава нефтяных отходов и их влияния на грунтовые воды с помощью гидрогеохимических методов. Применены стандартные методы оценки загрязнения подземных вод из ямы с нефтяными отходами на нефтяных месторождениях Мгбеде и Эбоча в южной части Нигерии. Обнаружено, что в яме с нефтяными отходами кислый рН, очень отрицательный окислительно-восстановительный потенциал, пограничная концентрация цинка и концентрация полициклических ароматических углеводородов (ПАУ), кадмия выше пределов. Выявлено повсеместное распространение превышающих предельные концентрации ПАУ на всей исследуемой территории. Подземные воды в районе исследования характеризовались неприемлемыми уровнями кислотности, окислительно-восстановительного потенциала (ОВП), кадмия, ПАУ и пограничными случаями загрязнения цинком, что может вызвать серьезные проблемы со здоровьем населения и риски для здоровья, включая рак. В число рекомендаций вошло предоставление альтернативных источников воды жителям этого нефтяного месторождения.

oil waste pitgroundwater pollutionenvironmental healthнефтяной карьерзагрязнение подземных водсостояние окружающей средыLi P, Karunanidhi D, Subramani T, Srinivasamoorthy K. Sources and Consequences of Groundwater Contamination. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2021 Jan;80(1):1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00805-z. Epub 2021 Jan 2. PMID: 33386943; PMCID: PMC7778406. EDN: MWLCEYCozzarelli I M, Kent DB, Briggs M, Engle MA, Benthem A, Skalak KJ, Mumford AC, Jaeschke J, Farag A, Lane Jr JW, Akob DM. Geochemical and geophysical indicators of oil and gas wastewater can trace potential exposure pathways following releases to surface waters. Science of The Total Environment. 2021;755(1) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142909Raimi MO, Sawyerr HO, Ezekwe IC, Salako G. Many oil wells, one evil: comprehensive assessment of toxic metals concentration, seasonal variation, and human health risk in drinking water quality in areas surrounding crude oil exploration facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Hydrology. 2022;6(1):23-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.15406/ijh.2022.06.00299 EDN: HITXTKFakhru'l-Razi A, Pendashteh A, Abdullah LC, Biak DRA, Madaeni SS, Abidin ZZ. Review of technologies for oil and gas produced water treatment. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2009 Oct 30;170(2-3):530-551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.05.044. PMID: 19505758.Nwosi-Anele AS, Iledare OO. Produced Water Treatment Methods and Regulations: Lessons from the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea for Nigeria. Environmental Science. 2016. Available from: https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:212503068 (accessed: 30.12.2023).Meehan M, Sedivec KK, DeSutter T, DeSutter T, Augustin C, Daigh ALM. Environmental impacts of brine (produced water). North Dakota State University Extension Service Pub. R1850; 2016.Dresel PE, Rose AW. Chemistry and origin of oil and gas well brines in Western Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Geological Survey (4th Ser), Open-File Report OFOG 10-01.0 2010Kharaka YK, Hitchon B, Hanor JS. Groundwater and petroleumk. The Groundwater Project. 2023. https://doi.org/10.21083/978-1-77470-041-9Onwuachi-Iheagwara NP. Environmental impact and treatment of produced water. Continental J. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. https://doi.org/10.5707/cjwasp.2012.3.1.21.24Veil JA, Markus Puder, Elcock D., Redweik RJJr (2004). A white paper describing produced water from production of crude oil natural gas and coal bed methane. Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, 87. https://doi.org/10.2172/821666Clinton-Ezekwe IC, Osu IC, Ezekwe IC, Raimi MO. Slow death from pollution: potential health hazards from air quality in the Mgbede oil fields of Southsouth Nigeria. Open Access Journal of Philosophy. 2022;5(1):61-69. https://medcraveonline.com/OAJS/OAJS-05-00177.pdfRubel F, & Kottek M. Observed and projected climate shifts 1901-2100 depicted by world maps of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Meteorologische Zeitschrift. 2010;19(2):135-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2010/0430Ikwulemenze MH, et al. Polluted groundwater recharge from an oil waste pit in the Nkissa-Orashi Basin of Rivers State Nigeria-submitted for publicationEzekwe IC, Odubo E, Chima GN, Onwuchekwa IS. Groundwater occurrence and flow patterns in the Ishiagu mining area of Southeastern Nigeria. Frontiers of Earth Science. 2012;6(1):18-28.Gebara SMS, Poppi RN, do Nascimento ALCS, Raposo JL. Methods for analysis of PAH and BTEX in groundwater from gas stations: a case study in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil. Quimica Nova. 2013;36(7):1030-1037. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422013000700018 EDN: RMVQCBEzekwe IC, Kponi BV, Derego A. Groundwater Quality and Flow Patterns in the Western Parts of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Geographic Thought, 2017;15(1):1-14. Available from: http://www.academix.ng/journals/ profile.html?idd=3300010155 (accessed: 20.04.2024).Maharjan P, Clark T, Kuenzel C, Foy MK, Watkins S. On farm monitoring of the impact of water system sanitation on microbial levels in broiler house water supplies. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 2016;25(2):266-271. http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfw010Horne AJ, Goldman CR. Limnology. 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill, Inc.; 1994. 576 p.Aralu CC, Okoye PA, Abugu HO, Eboagu NC, Eze VC. Characterization, sources, and risk assessment of PAHs in borehole water from the vicinity of an unlined dumpsite in Awka, Nigeria. Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 15;13(1):9688. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36691-3 EDN: UXOXTQVanarsdale Vl. Signs of Poor pH Balance in the Body. 2017. Available from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/214475-health-effects-of-ph-on-drinking-water/ (accessed: 20.04.2024).Wolfe I. How to Drink Water with High pH. 2017. Available from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/214475-health-effects-of-ph-on-drinking-water/ (accessed: 20.04.2024).Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. 4th ed. Penguin, USA-869; 2006.