Among all the natural resources, crude oil, its exploration and production activities have had the greatest impact on world polity and environment [1] - [9] . Several materials such as drilling mud, produced water, drill cuttings and hydrocarbons are discharged into the environment during crude oil production [7] , with produced water as the major waste stream [8] , impacting the water quality and aquatic flora and fauna [9] [10] [11] . Tubonimi et al. [12] reported that many inhabitants of regions where oil production takes place are ingesting high and dangerous levels of hydrocarbons.

Sapele, one of the Niger-Delta communities plays host to oil fields, flow station and networks of pipelines within the area. Groundwater remains the primary source of potable water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses in crude oil production zone of Nigeria [13] . Previous investigation in the study area looks at the impact of oil exploration on water quality and vegetal resources [14] . With increasing tempo of oil exploration and production activities, environmental degradation, increasing population and demand on groundwater supply, routine monitoring and evaluation of the water quality in oil producing communities become imperative. Therefore, the present study documents the physicochemical status of surface and groundwater in Sapele, Delta State, to ascertain the potability and possible health risk.

Table 2 and Table 3 show the summary of physicochemical conditions of surface and groundwater of the study stations while Figure 2 shows the water quality index for the sampling stations.

The pH of surface and groundwater recorded in this study from the three stations was slightly acidic and ranged from 4.910 - 5.797, below the recommended standard. The mean pH, however, was the lowest in station 2 for groundwater (4.910). The mean pH values in the study area were low when compared with the value of 6.53 recorded by Atubi [17] in Warri. Similar pH range has been recorded in a previous study in Sapele [14] .

The temperature of the surface and groundwater samples ranged from 27.75˚C - 29.75˚C (Table 2 and Table 3). All values were within the maximum permissible limit of 25˚C - 30˚C for drinking water [18] . The temperature recorded in this study was in agreement with the result of previous studies reported in the Niger Delta area [19] [20] .

NOTE: P > 0.05 = No significant difference, P < 0.05 = Significantly different, P < 0.01 = Highly significantly different, P < 0.001 = Very highly significantly different, Similar letters indicate means that are not significantly different, NG = Not Given in the WHO limit.

NOTE: P > 0.05 = No significant difference, P < 0.05 = significantly different, P < 0.01 = highly significantly different, P < 0.001 = Very highly significantly different; similar letters indicate means that are not significantly different, NG = Not Given in the WHO limit. *in mg/l (i.e. 0.33‰ - 1.05‰).

Electrical conductivity was significantly different across the stations for both surface and groundwater. It was less than the range of 14 - 41000 µS/cm reported for the New Calabar River [21] . Electrical conductivity values were high in stations 1 (3940.82 µS/cm) and 2 (400.80 µS/cm) for surface water (Table 2) and high in station 2 (343.333 µS/cm) for groundwater (Table 3). These are environments with gas flaring with high probability of possible contact with inorganic substance coming from the discharges of the flared gas [22] .

The maximum permissible value of 15 Pt. Co for water colour was not exceeded by groundwater samples and stations 1 and 3 for surface water; station 2 (21.133 Pt. Co) however, exceeded the permissible limit. For groundwater samples, there was no significant difference across the station for color ranges. At P < 0.001 level of significance, there was very highly significant difference in colour across the surface water stations with station 2 being responsible for the difference, as revealed by Duncan’s Multiple Range test. Like taste, colour could be an indication of dissolved salts and suspended solids. Akan [23] stated that pure water is colorless, thus, any water with a characteristic colour insinuates contamination.

Turbidity consists of suspended particles in the water and may be caused by organic or inorganic materials. The WHO limit of 5 NTU [18] for turbidity was not exceeded across the stations for both surface and groundwater samples. At P<0.001 level of significance, there was very highly significant difference in turbidity across the station for surface water (Table 2). Turbidity values obtained were higher in station 1 for surface and groundwater. The high turbidity of surface water in station 1 was observable during sampling and could be attributed to the discharge of crude oil waste or bunkering activities within the area. Boyd [24] reported that turbidities in natural waters seldom exceed 20,000 mg/l and even muddy waters usually have less than 2000 mg/l. The observed turbidity level in this study agrees with the range of 2 NTU to 47 NTU reported by Asonye et al. [25] for the turbidity of Nigerian water bodies. High turbidity waters have been linked to microbial contamination [26] .

Groundwater samples showed no significant values across the stations for total suspended solids (TSS). However, there was a significant difference in values obtained from the stations for surface water samples with station 2 having a higher value of TSS which may be as a result of sand dredging done in this station and death and decomposition of plant materials. TSS in water is undesirable since they decrease water transparency, inhibit photosynthesis, increase sediments, smoothen breeding bed of aquatic organisms and eventually lead to an increase of sediments and a decrease of water depth [27] .

The maximum permissible value of 1000 mg/l [18] for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) was not exceeded by ground and surface water samples in all the stations. The TDS in the study shows that the highest value was recorded in station 2 and average readings of 198.717 mg/l and 172.35 mg/l in surface water and groundwater respectively. Result of TDS was below the range of 1235 - 19846 mg/l reported for brackish Elechi Creek in Port-Harcourt Nigeria [28] , but within the range of 12 - 490 mg/l reported for the fresh Ikpoba River [29] [30] . All values recorded were below the acceptable limits. The TDS is directly related to the electrical conductivity and salinity of the water.

Salinity was low for all the sampling stations for both groundwater and surface water, and the maximum permissible limit of 200 g/l was not exceeded. Across the stations, there was no significant difference for groundwater, while significant difference was recorded across the stations for surface water with station 1 having the highest value of 1.783 g/l. There was no evidence of salt water intrusion although increase in salinity has been linked to crude oil pollution [31] [32] .

Dissolved oxygen was in the range of 6.3 - 8.3 mg/l reported by Idowu and Ugwumba [33] . The minimum permissible value of 5 mg/l [18] was exceeded in all the stations for both ground and surface water samples, making the water oxygenated enough to support aquatic life. DO in station 2 was low and had a mean value of 5.100 mg/l and 5.667 mg/l for surface and groundwater respectively. The reduction in DO concentration could be linked to the breaking down of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms associated with organic pollution. Dissolved oxygen is a useful indicator of water quality, ecological standing, efficiency and health of a river [34] . The maximum permissible value of 1.9 mg/l [18] for BOD was not exceeded in the stations for groundwater samples but was exceeded in the stations by surface water samples. Higher values, therefore, indicate the existence of a large number of organic contaminants and comparatively higher level of microbial activities resulting in the reduction of oxygen content. Value of COD was higher in station 1 (15.433 mg/l) in surface water and higher in station 2 (7.867 mg/l) in groundwater which is in agreement with the values recorded by Uzoekwe and Oghosanine [35] and was attributed to the discharge of pollutant into water bodies. Muoghalu and Omocho [36] reported that when waste deeply loaded with pollutant and dissolved solids have entry to water bodies, a large volume is required for their decomposition.

The calcium level of both surface and groundwater ranged between 0.84 mg/l and 38.70 mg/l. Higher calcium values were recorded in station 1 with a mean value of 16.4983 mg/l for surface water and 2.823 mg/l for groundwater. Calcium is metallic cation usually present in fresh surface water and among the most commonly found in groundwater [37] . Its quantities in natural water depend upon the type of rocks and nearness to the coast. The range reported for the Okhuaihe River in the more inland Edo State was far lower (1.73 - 2.65 mg/l) than the values reported in this study. The magnesium level of both surface and groundwater reported for this study lies between 0.42 - 19.30 mg/l. This is lower when compared to the levels of 0.1 - 72.9 mg/l for River Jamieson [38] . The values of calcium and magnesium recorded indicate that all the samples lie within the desirable limit (50 mg/l and 37 - 150 mg/l respectively) for drinking water [39] . The concentration of sodium varied from 0.51 - 28.40 mg/l across the stations. The spatial variation in the concentration of sodium was not significant in the groundwater. In the surface water, the spatial variation was significant with station 1 having the highest mean value of 11.773 mg/l. Increase in sodium concentration has been linked to crude oil leakage [40] . Sodium concentration of more than 50 mg/l makes the water unsuitable for drinking [39] . The potassium level of surface and groundwater ranged from 0.07 - 4.75 mg/l. These values were low when compared with the level in River Sokoto (2.8 to 13.2 mg/l) as reported by Holden and Green [41] . Potassium was within the WHO limit. The cations in the water samples are in the order Ca > Na > Mg > K.

Chloride level of both surface and groundwater recorded in this study ranged between 14.6 - 64.5 mg/l which is below the WHO permissible level of 250 mg/l. In pristine freshwaters chloride concentrations are usually lower than 10 mg/l and sometimes less than 2 mg/l [42] . Chloride is not considered as being harmful to human health. Chloride values above 250 mg/l impart a salty taste which makes the water unpalatable. The presence of Bicarbonates (HCO− 3) influences the hardness and alkalinity of water. The relative amounts of bicarbonates are related to pH. Bicarbonate concentrations in surface waters are usually < 500 mg/l, and commonly < 25 mg/l [42] . There was a significant difference in the bicarbonate concentration in the surface water with station 1 having the highest with a mean value of 132.350 mg/l followed by station 2 with a mean value of 47.483 mg/l.

Nitrogenous compounds are of interest to environmentalists because they are essential nutrients which are beneficial to living organisms and also become pollutants with potentially harmful consequences when present in excess amount. Ammonium nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite are indicators of nitrogen loading of waters. Ammonium nitrogen was low and ranged from 0.00 - 0.127 mg/l in the surface water and 0.00 - 0.062 mg/l in the groundwater. The nitrite and nitrate values recorded in this study ranged from 0.00 - 0.243 mg/l and 0.01 - 8.40 mg/l respectively in the surface water, and in the groundwater, 0.00 - 0.164 and 0.13 - 5.18 mg/l respectively. Unpolluted water usually contains little amount of nitrate [43] . The leaching of plants and dry leaf litter is another source of nitrate in water bodies [44] [45] . The values of the Nitrogenous compounds in both surface and groundwaters are within acceptable limits.

The addition of phosphate to natural waters in one of the most serious environmental problems because its contribution to eutrophication. Although, nitrate also contributes to eutrophication, phosphate is the major culprit in freshwaters. It is required by plants in very low quantities. The phosphate content of the waters in this study ranged between 0.26 - 9.85 mg/l for surface water and 0.01 - 0.98 mg/l for groundwater. The concentrations of available phosphorous at all stations differed insignificantly. Phosphorus was highest in Station 2 with an average mean value of 4.357 mg/l. Excess phosphorus in water is considered a pollutant [46] and may be due to enrichment from allochthonous phosphorus-containing substances rather than oil exploration and production activities [47] . The values recorded in this study are within acceptable limits.

Sulphate concentrations in natural water are usually between 2 and 80 mg/l; high concentration (>400 mg/l) may make water unpleasant to drink. Sulphate is one of the least toxic anions in drinking water, but catharsis, dehydration, and gastrointestinal irritation have been linked to high sulphate concentrations in drinking water. WHO recommends an urgent action by health agencies when sulphate in drinkable water exceeds 200 mg/l. In the present study, the sulphate values were far below the 200 mg/l maximum allowable limit.

THC for both surface and groundwater in all the stations showed no significant difference at P < 0.05. The FMEnv’s maximum discharge limit of 10 mg/l THC/oil and grease into inland waters was not exceeded in this study. The low level of Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) of less than < 10 mg/l, being limitation standards for FMEnv/DPR, is a good indication that the water samples are not polluted with hydrocarbons. The variation in the pattern of the total hydrocarbon within the study area suggests that most of the hydrocarbons in water samples were of anthropogenic origin. In the groundwater samples, the level of THC contamination decreased significantly. In addition, various chemical, physical and biological processes that are known to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon in water may undoubtedly have contributed to the general decrease in the hydrocarbon levels observed.

Natural waters contain very small quantities of essential metals such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), Barium (Ba) and Silver (Ag). These metals, also called trace or heavy metals, are required by organisms in minute quantities, toxic in relatively high concentrations and non-biodegradable and easily assimilated and bio-accu- mulated in the protoplasm of aquatic organisms. Non-essential heavy metals of particular concern to surface water systems are cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, arsenic, and antimony [19] . The concentrations of heavy metals in the surface water samples were generally low but some (Fe, Cr, Cd and Pb) slightly exceeded the WHO limits in the perturbed stations 1 and 2 but not in the control station 3 (Table 2). This could be attributed to the impact of anthropogenic activities associated with oil exploration and production activities. The heavy metals contained in the water samples could have emanated from runoff or leachate from drilling fluids components of mud, diesel, bit lube, caustic lignosulphonate, and water-based drilling mud thinner, which contains chrome, ferrochrome and spilled hydrocarbon from drilling operations that find their way to surface and groundwater. Low heavy metal accumulation has been reported in Nigerian water bodies by previous studies [3] [28] [48] . Due to its high toxicity to aquatic life and man, heavy metals have been used as an indicator of pollution [3] .

The values of heavy metals in the groundwater (with the exception of Fe) were very low and in most cases below detection limits. Iron is usually high in Nigerian soil and waters as has been reported in earlier studies [49] [50] . The concentration of heavy metals was of the order: Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd > Ni > V.

The water quality index (WQI) was computed for the three stations. Station 1 had a WQI value of 159.42, station 2, 218.81 and station 3, 81.24 (Figure 2). Station 3 has the lowest WQI value of 81.24 making it suitable for drinking, while stations 2 and 3 are poor and very poor respectively from rating of the water quality index. The poor water quality of stations 1 and 2 can be attributed to anthropogenic activities from crude oil production.

The average physicochemical parameters in surface water conformed to WHO standard with the exception of temperature, electrical conductivity, colour, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, iron, cadmium and lead. Water quality index shows that water from station 1 and 2 is poor for drinking compared to station 3 (control). Level of heavy metals in groundwater does not exceed WHO standard, indicating any health risk. However, there is heavy metal contamination of surface water in Sapele possibly through oil spillage, gas flaring, drilling, bunkering related activities from crude oil exploration and production operations in the area as crude oil exploration and production activities are a primary source of heavy metal pollution to surface water in crude oil producing area.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Ogbeibu, A.E., Akpogheneta, S.E. and Zagi, M.M. (2020) The Effects of Crude Oil Production Activities on Surface and Groundwater Quality in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. Open Access Library Journal, 7: e6245. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106245