Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination in Regular and Artisanal Petroleum Products in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigerian government for years has been clamping down on the activities of artisanal crude oil refiners in the Niger Delta. However, the success of such fight is not fully won. Therefore, this study, investigated the heavy metal content in regularly distributed and artisanal petroleum products in Nigeria, focusing on the concentrations of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Vanadium (V). Samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), revealing that regularly distributed products contained Pb (0.042 mg/L), Cd (0.003 mg/L), Cr (0.002 mg/L), Ni (0.034 mg/L), and V (0.019 mg/L). In contrast, artisanal petroleum products showed significantly higher concentrations of Pb (0.212 mg/L), Cd (0.029 mg/L), Cr (0.023 mg/L), Ni (0.157 mg/L), and V (0.137 mg/L). Comparisons with literature values indicated that the levels of Pb and Cd in artisanal products exceeded acceptable limits, raising concerns about their environmental and health impacts. The study highlights the need for stringent quality control measures and the adoption of advanced refining techniques to mitigate the risks associated with the use of artisanal petroleum products in Nigeria.