IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RJPST )

E-ISSN 2579-0536
P-ISSN 2695-2696
VOL. 8 NO. 3 2025
DOI: 10.56201/rjpst.vol.8.no3.2025.pg69.78

---

Soil Fertility Indicators in Cultivated Oil-Spill-Impacted Soils from the Niger Delta

Joy Aghogho Ebiunor, Leo C. Osuji, Matthew O. Wegwu

---

Abstract

This study evaluates the physicochemical properties of oil spill-impacted soils in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, focusing on fertility indicators and the growth responses of selected resilient crops. Soil samples were collected from both polluted and unpolluted sites, and key physicochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), redox potential (RP), total organic carbon (TOC), and total organic matter (TOM) were analyzed following standard procedures over a 90-day period. The results indicated that oil contamination significantly altered soil properties, with polluted soils exhibiting higher pH (average 4.78) and electrical conductivity (average 217.33 µs/cm) compared to unpolluted soils (average pH 4.34 and EC 198.7 µs/cm). Among the crops tested, Talinum triangulare (waterleaf) demonstrated the highest resilience, exhibiting robust growth and superior adaptability in polluted soils, with a notable increase in total organic matter (TOM) content. In contrast, Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) and Zea mays (maize) showed moderate growth responses, indicating their potential but lower resilience compared to waterleaf. The study underscores the importance of selecting resilient crop varieties for phytoremediation and sustainable agricultural practices in oil-impacted environments, contributing valuable insights into soil recovery processes and agricultural resilience in the Niger Delta.

keywords:

Soil Fertility Indicators, phytoremediation, agricultural resilience, physicochemical properties, pollution, soil properties

---

References:

Adams, R. H., Hawkes, J., & Webb, B. (2018). Soil science and management. Cengage Learning.
Adebayo, A. H., Ojo, J. A., & Ojo, O. A. (2020). Effects of crude oil contamination on soil
properties and crop yield in Nigeria. *Environmental Monitoring and Assessment*, 192(3),
1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-8142-5
Adeolu, A. T., Osuji, L. C., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2017). Impact of crude oil spill on soil
physicochemical properties in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science
and Health, Part B, 52(6), 342-353. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2017.1285303
Akinyede, J. O., Agbogidi, O. M., & Oriji, V. C. (2019). Effects of crude oil spill on soil electrical
conductivity and microbial populations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of
Environmental
Science
and
Health,
Part
B,
54(4),
237-247.
doi:
10.1080/03601234.2019.1577353
APHA (American Public Health Association). (1985). Standard methods for the examination of
water and wastewater. APHA.
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). (n.d.). Standard test methods for total
petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in water and wastewater. ASTM.
Eke, R. E., Osuji, L. C., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2020). Impact of crude oil spill on soil pH and
electrical conductivity in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science and
Health, Part B, 55(3), 261-271. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2020.1715311
Ibekwe, A. M., Udo, E. J., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2017). Effects of crude oil spill on soil microbial
populations and physicochemical properties in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of
Environmental
Science
and
Health,
Part
B,
52(5),
321-331.
doi:
10.1080/03601234.2017.1285302
Nwachukwu, J. I., Osuji, L. C., & Eke, R. E. (2019). Impact of crude oil spill on soil
physicochemical properties and microbial populations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal
of
Environmental
Science
and
Health,
Part
B,
54(2),
117-127.
doi:
10.1080/03601234.2019.1565511
Nwankwoala, H. O., Ogbodo, E. N., & Okwuosa, C. N. (2015). Environmental impact of oil spills
in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: A review. *International Journal of Environmental
Science and Technology*, 12(4), 1321-1330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-014-0585-1
Odu, C. T., Ogbodo, E. N., & Nwankwoala, H. O. (2018). Assessment of soil quality in oil spill-
affected areas of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. *Journal of Soil Science and Environmental
Management*, 9(2), 15-25. https://doi.org/10.5897/JSSEM2017.0610
Ogbodo, E. N., Nwankwoala, H. O., & Odu, C. T. (2021). Phytoremediation potential of Talinum
triangulare in oil-contaminated soils: A case study from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Environmental
Science
and
Pollution
Research*,
28(12),
15123-15134.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12845-5
Ogboghro, E. O., Osuji, L. C., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2019). Effects of crude oil spill on soil
electrical conductivity and microbial populations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of
Environmental
Science
and
Health,
Part
B,
54(3),
187-197.
doi:
10.1080/03601234.2019.1577354
Ogunyemi, S. O., Ojo, J. A., & Ojo, O. A. (2019). The impact of crude oil pollution on soil
properties and crop yield in Nigeria. *Journal of Environmental Management*, 231, 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.10.045
Okoro, S. E., Osuji, L. C., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2020). Impact of crude oil spill on soil pH and
electrical conductivity in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science and
Health, Part B, 55(4), 331-341. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2020.1738511
Osuji, L. C., Adeolu, A. T., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2015). Impact of crude oil spill on soil fertility
and microbial populations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Science
and Health, Part B, 50(6), 421-431. doi: 10.1080/03601234.2015.1039666
Udo, E. J., Ibekwe, A. M., & Nwachukwu, J. I. (2018). Effects of crude oil spill on soil
physicochemical properties and microbial populations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal
of
Environmental
Science
and
Health,
Part
B,
53(4),
237-247.
doi:
10.1080/03601234.2018.1435753

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back