Seasonal Variations and Correlation Analysis of Physicochemical Properties, Heavy Metals, and Petroleum-Derived Compounds in Borehole Water from Eneka and Alode Communities, Rivers State, Nigeria

Decades of pipeline failures, spills, and poorly regulated exploration have contaminated vital water sources in Nigeria’s Niger Delta with a complex mix of inorganic nutrients, heavy metals, and petroleum-derived compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), largely due to the country's economic reliance on crude oil. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations in physicochemical characteristics, concentrations of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, arsenic), and petroleum-derived compounds (BTEX) in borehole water from Eneka and Alode communities in Rivers State, Nigeria, using appropriate standard methods. The results revealed strong seasonal correlations in Alode and at Eneka E2 (r ≥ 0.997), indicating chronic pollution, whereas the weak correlation at Eneka E1 (r = 0.258) suggests periodic, rain-induced contamination. Seasonal differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for many pollutants, including pH, which showed a slight decline from the wet to the dry season. These findings underscore the urgent need for year-round water quality monitoring, community-specific treatment strategies, and stricter environmental regulations to safeguard public health in these vulnerable oil-producing areas.