Abstract

Oil exploration activities has predisposed several nearby communities in Niger Delta to pollution which could lead to death of living organisms in the environment. This study assessed the arable soils and cassava leaves drawn from around oil exploration sites in six (6) local government areas (Ukwani, Ndokwa East-NE, Ethiope West-EW, Ugheli South-US, Ethiope East-EE, and Ndokwa West-NW) of Delta State. Samples were taken from twelve sampling points (100 meters) from oil exploration sites in each of the above selected communities from soils at a depth of 0-30 and cassava leaves in the farms. Thereafter, three composite samples were formed from each farm as three replicates for both soil and plant. The soil physico-chemical properties, heavy metal constituents and cassava leaves were analysed following standard procedures. Data generated were analysed using ANOVA and means were separated using LSD at 5% significance level. The soil organic matter (OM), electrical conductivity (EC), Al, Th, Pb, Ar, and Cd differed significantly across the LGAs, and ranged from 1.32±0.13 (Ukwani) to 1.95±0.13 (EE), 173.00±12.15 (EE) to 223.00±12.15 (Ukwani), 0.29±0.06 (NE) to 0.51±0.06 (US), 0.10±0.01 (NE) to 0.15±0.01 (Ukwani), 1.02±0.16 (EW) to 1.51±0.16 (Ukwani), 0.40±0.07 (US) to 0.69±0.07 (Ukwani), and 0.94±0.08 (EW) to 1.37±0.08 (NE), respectively. The leaves pH and Ar content differed significantly and ranged from 6.20±0.13 (Ukwani) to 7.33±0.13 (EE) and 0.07±0.01 (EW) to 0.11±0.01 (NW), respectively. The Hg has a significantly strong relationship with Al (r=0.74). The Cadmium content of the soil, and leaves Cr and Cd contents were above WHO/FAO permissible levels