* Corresponding author: Victor Ighariemu Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Toxicological assessment of marine sediment in oil spilled impacted area of Nembe, Niger Delta, Nigeria Victor Ighariemu 1,* , Matthew Owhonda Wegwu 1 , Lawrence Chijoke Chuku 2 , Victor Olua 1 and Oghenerukevwe Obadesagbo 3 1 Environmental Toxicology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State, Nigeria. 2 Medical Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State, Nigeria. 3 Department of Biochemistry/Chemistry Technology, School of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Scholarly Research and Reviews, 2023, 02(01), 011–024 Publication history: Received on 04 February 2023; revised on 15 March 2023; accepted on 17 March 2023 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.56781/ijsrr.2023.2.1.0015 Abstract This study investigated the level heavy metal and health risk associated with marine sediment impacted with oil spill from Santa Barbara River, Nembe. Chemical analysis assessments of the marine sediments were investigated for different heavy metals Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Mercury (Hg) respectively using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentration of the marine sediment was found to be highest for Cr (24.03 ± 0.24), followed by Pb (1.53 ± 0.03) and Ni (3.93 ± 0.03) mg/kg respectively, while Hg was below detection limit. The result shows the heavy metals were below the recommended value stipulated by USEPA and RMENSR with exception of chromium which exceeded maximum permissible limit. This study recommended that there should be continuous monitoring of (Cr, Pb Ni and Hg) levels in sediments of Santa Barbara River to assess the risk of these metals in the river. Keywords: Marine Sediment; Pollution; Exposure; Ecosystem; Metals; Toxicity 1 Introduction Heavy metals (HMs) pollution in coastal areas worldwide has caused growing concern due to its toxicity, bioaccumulative tendencies, persistent nature and harmful effects to aquatic ecosystem [1, 2]. As a result, it can accumulate in aquatic habitats and sediment [3-5]. The issue is gradually gaining attention on a global scale, particularly in emerging nations like Nigeria and among the Niger Delta's population [6, 7]. In the estuarine environment, heavy metals can be produced by both natural and human-made processes [8, 9]. Heavy Metals discharges are caused by a number of anthropogenic causes, including oil combustion, nuclear power plants, high-voltage lines, coal combustion in power plants, metal processing in refineries, oil exploration and exploitation, and oil spills [10, 11]. Marine sediments can serve as sensitive markers for tracking pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. Planning and designing studies on water pollution should pay particular attention to the bottom sediments since they act as a reservoir for heavy metals. Because of their persistence, toxicity, and capacity to enter food chains, heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, copper, and zinc are considered major contaminants of aquatic environments [13]. Environmental pollution by heavy metals has recently become a source of increased ecological and worldwide health concern [14, 15].