ABSTRACT
One crude oil sample and one condensate sample were collected from two different oil fields in Delta State and Edo State. Employing Atomic absorption spectroscopy, six heavy metals ( Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu and Fe) were analyzed via acid digestion. Alongside, Gas chromatography facilitated the separation and quantification of sixteen priority PAHs, including carcinogenic compounds like benzo[a]pyrene. The results revealed differing concentrations of these contaminants in both samples. From the heavy metals analysis, the result shows a mean concentration (± SD) mg/kg of 4.37 ± 0.24 for lead, 0.82 ± 0.07 for cadmium, 1.90 ± 0.28 for chromium, 1.35 ± 0.31 for nickel, 2.63 ± 0.87 for copper, and 0.35 ± 0.19 for iron in crude oil. And showed 2.92 ± 0.07 for lead, 0.20 ± 0.05 for cadmium, 1.40 ± 0.14 for chromium, 0.58 ± 0.07 for nickel, 1.40 ± 0.87 for copper, and 0.15 ± 0.09 for iron in petroleum condensate, this showed that crude oil contains more heavy metals than petroleum condensate. The prominent concentration of PAHs in crude oil were dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (398.800g/g), benzo[g,h,l]perylene (152.400g/g), Acenaphthalene (142.500g/g), benzo[a]pyrene (123.400g/g), and naphthalene (91.900g/g), while the prominent concentration of PAHs in petroleum condensate are dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (353.000g/g), benzo[g,h,l]perylene (160.500g/g), Acenaphthalene (147.800g/g), benzo[a]pyrene (93.600g/g), and naphthalene (73.100g/g). There is need for continuous monitoring and application of improved methods of prospecting and exploring of crude oil to ensure quality control, and safeguarding of the environment in the petroleum industry.
