Physicochemical Quality and Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination of Groundwater in Illegal Bunkering Hotspots of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Groundwater contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons from illegal bunkering activities poses significant environmental and public health risks in the Niger Delta. This study assessed the physicochemical quality and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination (total petroleum hydrocarbons [TPH] and oil and grease) of groundwater in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State. Groundwater samples were collected from four locations: three impacted sites (Points 1, 2, and 3) and one control site (Point 4). Physicochemical parameters were measured in situ, while TPH and oil and grease were determined using EPA Method 8015C and API-RP 45/EPA Methods 418.1 & 1664, respectively. Results showed acidic pH (4.62–6.21) at impacted sites compared to the near-neutral control (7.15), elevated electrical conductivity (1000–2256 μS/cm), low turbidity (0.24–0.41 NTU), reduced dissolved oxygen (5.50–5.80 mg/L), and low biochemical oxygen demand (0.3–0.7 mg/L). TPH concentrations (2.30–5.05 mg/L) exceeded the EGASPIN limit of 0.60 mg/L by up to 8.4 times, while oil and grease concentrations (3.10–16.60 mg/L) indicated substantial petroleum contamination. Point 1 exhibited the highest TPH and oil and grease levels, followed by Point 2 and Point 3, suggesting spatial variability linked to bunkering intensity. The control site showed no detectable petroleum hydrocarbons. The study concludes that illegal bunkering has significantly degraded groundwater quality in ONELGA, rendering it unsuitable for potable use without treatment. Recommendations include strengthened regulatory enforcement, targeted remediation of hotspots, provision of alternative water sources, and establishment of routine monitoring programmes.

Groundwater quality, illegal bunkering, total petroleum hydrocarbons

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