Hydrochemical Dispersion and Geospatial Correlation for Source Identification, Transport, and Fate of Aerial Petro-Pollutants in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is heavily impacted by petroleum exploration, refining activities, and industrial emissions, contributing to widespread aerial petro-pollutant contamination. This study investigates the hydrochemical dispersion and geospatial correlation of atmospheric petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) deposited through rainfall within selected locations in Rivers State, Nigeria. Thirty-four rainwater samples were collected from seven distinct sub-regional study locations: Obigbo, Komkom, Obiama, Okoloma, Egberu, Umu Agbai, and Obete. Hydrochemical analyses were conducted using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to quantify total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), with detailed compositional profiling of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C8 - C40) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The dispersion analysis employed Hexbin density mapping, Contour visualization, and spatial interpolation techniques to delineate pollution hotspots, revealing significant contamination gradients across the study region. The correlation matrix assessed interrelationships between hydrocarbon fractions and geographic positioning, identifying strong positive correlations (r > 0.9) between TPH and total aliphatic hydrocarbons (TAH), suggesting transportation and industrial emissions as primary sources. PAHs exhibited localized concentration spikes, particularly near gas flaring zones and commercial hubs, implicating fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities, and long-range pollutant transport as dominant contamination mechanisms. Geospatial analysis indicates higher hydrocarbon deposition in the Western and Northern regions, with Obigbo and Okoloma experiencing the most significant contamination. The study highlights rainfall as a key vector for atmospheric petrochemical deposition, with implications for water quality, ecosystem health, and human exposure risks. These findings emphasize the need for stricter environmental monitoring, regulatory enforcement of industrial emissions, and strategic efforts to mitigate hydrocarbon pollution in petroleum-producing regions.