Soil and groundwater quality around an oil
leading facility were evaluated. The facilities are located
in Eleme, Rivers state Nigeria. Sampling of soils was
done at 2 depths (0 - 15 and 15 – 30cm) at 8 stations and
one control point. AAS was used to analyze heavy
metals, Hydrocarbons were analyzed with GC- FID and
VOCs were analyzed with Headspace analyzing
techniques respectively.The transfer ration of heavy
metal and hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater were
less than one. The concentration of underground water
Cd, Ni obtained were below WHO permissible value for
water, while Vi was not detected. The concentration of
Pb in the 3 boreholes each (BH1, BH2 and BH3) for Aba
and Eleme were above WHO permissible value for
water. The concentration of TPH obtained in
groundwater (BH1, BH2 and BH3) exceeded the
permissible limit stipulated by WHO (2011). This study
has revealed that refined hydrocarbon from loading
facilities are sources of heavy metals and hydrocarbons
contamination of the environment. Hence it will be very
necessary to monitor loading activities in refined
Hydrocarbon loading facilities.