Heavy metal concentration assessment in produced water from production of oil and gas in an onshore field of South-South Nigeria
1 Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2 Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan.
3 Department of Energy, Gas and Petroleum Engineering, School of Engineering and Architecture, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Research Article
International Journal of Frontiers in Engineering and Technology Research, 2026, 11(01), 028–036.
Article DOI: 10.53294/ijfetr.2026.11.1.0019
Publication history:
Received on 06 June 2026; revised on 15 July 2026; accepted on 17 July 2026
Abstract:
The types of hydrocarbons found within the geologic strata and the production practice employed for its recovery can have a significant impact on the heavy metal concentration within the produced water. The concentration and mobility of heavy metals (HMs) are controlled by the flow regime, age of the reservoir, and water-rock equilibrium. Thus, it may be difficult to quantify the amount of heavy metals produced with of oil and gas produced at any particular instant. However, the occurrence of high heavy metals content in produced water can be toxic to humans and the environment. In this study, the health hazards and concentrations of HMs in two samples (A and B) of wastewater from oil and gas production facilities were determined by using laboratory measurements and statistical methods. Analysis of the output of laboratory measurement shows that the proportions of heavy metal namely Iron, Copper, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead and Zinc in the produced hydro samples were 0.24, 0, 0, 0.325, 4.76, and 0 for sample A, and 0.432, 0.057, 0, 0, 0, 0.356 for sample B. While the majority of the HMs concentrations contained in the produced water were discovered to have no significant health hazards or threats to human health, the unusually high concentration of Pb in sample A signifies a potential contamination source in the formation and/or production method adopted for hydrocarbon extraction. Therefore, it is important to ensure long-term surveillance and control of HMs concentrations in produced water. HMs concentrations beyond the tolerable limit may harm humans and the environment. Hence, this study suggests continuous and real-time surveillance of HMs concentrations in produced water, while ensuring the implementation of policies and best practices that allow safe water management in the Niger Delta, and sanctions meted when there is non-compliance
Keywords:
Heavy Metals; Metal Concentration; Produced Water; Oil And Gas; Health Risk
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