The Impacts of Oil and Gas Production to Soil in Bentiu Unity State, South Sudan

This study investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of soil contaminants in the Bentiu region of Unity State, South Sudan, with a focus on areas influenced by oil and gas production activities. Soil samples were collected from three main sites—Nahm River (upstream and downstream), Abuk River (near a local community) and a remote control site. Analytical assessments targeted concentrations of key heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury) and hydrocarbons. The results revealed elevated levels of pollutants at sites proximal to oil production infrastructure, notably in the Nahm and Abuk River locations. Hydrocarbon concentrations consistently exceeded accepted environmental thresholds across impacted sites, with lead and chromium frequently registering above baseline levels. However, one-way ANOVA tests indicated no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in pollutant concentrations among sites, a finding corroborated by post hoc Tukey HSD analyses. These results suggest a broadly dispersed pattern of contamination rather than sharply localized impacts, possibly due to cumulative and diffused industrial activities. The study highlights the urgent need for expanded and more granular environmental monitoring, including higher sampling frequency and additional ecological indicators, to more accurately characterize pollution dynamics and inform targeted remediation strategies.