Environmental impacts of hydrocarbon contaminants and associated potential public health risks

Abstract

Hydrocarbons no doubt remain a major wheel of global energy and economic development. However, the insidious environmental impact of hydrocarbon contaminants (HCCs) presents a pressing concern due to the potential health risks associated with elevated levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), and heavy metals (HMs). This study investigates the impact of HCCs at the Kaduna Refinery Petrochemical Corporation (KRPC) in Nigeria, a site selected due to its history of spills and high potential for contamination. The primary goal was to evaluate both the levels and distribution of HCCs in the area, utilizing hydro-chemical analysis and electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to measure contaminant concentration and spatial spread. Analytical results indicated PAH levels ranging between 0.65 and 1.47 μg/l, TPH concentrations of (0.3421 - 0.5716) μg/l, and HM values from 0.038 to 1.711 mg/l, many falling within and few slightly exceed safety thresholds, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria’s National Directorate of Petroleum Resources (NDPR). ERI data also showed significant anomalies in topsoil resistivity, with values between 5000 and 50000 Ωm, far exceeding the typical regional range of 300–3000 Ωm, indicating notable contamination concentrated near the surface. Although contamination levels relatively align with regulatory standards, continued monitoring is strongly recommended to prevent potential long-term impacts. This study demonstrates the significance of integrating hydrochemical and geophysical methods for detailed environmental assessments, enhancing contamination detection, guiding sustainable environmental management and regulatory enforcement.