Soil quality assessment of crude oil-exposed environments in Tebidaba, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Namson Amadu Tsaku; Elijah Sesugh Akaaza; Funmilayo Alfa Yusufu; Eche Onah Otakpa; Akwashiki Ombugadu

doi:10.61298/terratmosphera.2026.1.2.372

Authors

Namson Amadu Tsaku
Department of Agronomy, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Nigeria
Elijah Sesugh Akaaza
Department of Soil Science, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Funmilayo Alfa Yusufu
Department of Geography, College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Eche Onah Otakpa
[email protected]

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Akwashiki Ombugadu
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Soil quality, Crude oil exposure, Seasonality, Physicochemical properties

Abstract

Oil exploration and production activities can pose significant risks to soil quality through hydrocarbon contamination and alteration of physicochemical properties. This study assessed the impact of oil operations on soil characteristics around the Tebidaba oil flow station, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, during the 2022 wet and dry seasons. Soil samples were collected from surface (0--15 cm) and subsurface (15--30 cm) layers and analyzed alongside control samples from non-impacted areas. The soils were predominantly clay and clay loam. Mean permeability ranged from 3.49 to 3.58 m/day in surface soils and from 3.88 to 3.97 m/day in subsurface soils across seasons, while porosity ranged from 34.68 to 36.66% in surface soils and from 38.54 to 40.77% in subsurface soils. Soil pH was strongly to moderately acidic (4.11--4.49), and soil temperature averaged 26.31--27.17⁰C. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), total hydrocarbon content (THC), and total organic carbon (TOC) were consistently higher in surface soils than in subsurface soils, while benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) remained below 0.001 mg/kg in all samples. Cation exchange capacity was low, and carbonate concentrations. Overall, hydrocarbon concentrations were generally low, but periodic environmental monitoring is recommended to prevent pollutant buildup associated with oil production activities.

Dimensions

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