Advances in Applied Sciences 2017; 2(5): 64-68 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/aas doi: 10.11648/j.aas.20170205.12 Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analysis of Sludge and Water Contaminated by Oil Spillage in Some Coastal Communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Mercy Uwem Useh 1, * , Pius Ikokoh 1 , Mary Sunday Dauda 2 , Ogechukwu Philomena Onwuazor 3 , Danlami Uzama 1 1 Chemistry Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Kwali, Abuja, Nigeria 2 Chemistry Department, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria 3 Biotechnology Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Kwali, Abuja, Nigeria Email address: usehmercy@gmail.com (M. U. Useh) * Corresponding author To cite this article: Mercy UwemUseh, Magnus Ifeanyi Osuagwu, Mary Sunday Dauda, Ogechukwu Philomena Onwuazor, Danlami Uzama. Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analysis of Sludge and Water Contaminated by Oil Spillage in Some Coastal Communities of AkwaIbom State, Nigeria. Advances in Applied Sciences. Vol. 2, No. 5, 2017, pp. 64-68. doi: 10.11648/j.aas.20170205.12 Received: October 4, 2016; Accepted: November 2, 2016; Published: September 26, 2017 Abstract: Crude oil contaminated sludge and water samples from four coastal communities (Ibeno, Onna, EsitEket and Eket) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were analyzed to investigate the bacterial load and physicochemical parameters using standard pour plate method and standard analytical methods respectively. The pH values of both (sludge and water) samples as determined ranged from 5.14 – 5.22 and 4.23 – 6.15 respectively which indicated that the samples are acidic in nature. Other physicochemical parameters determined were: temperature, electrical conductivity, moisture content, organic matter, total alkalinity, TDS, TSS, total hardness, DO, BOD, sulphate, chloride, oil and grease. The bacteriological analysis of the water and sludge samples showed mean total bacterial count of 3.57x10 4 and 1.77x10 3 cfu/ml respectively. The mean coliform counts of water and sludge samples were 1.5x10 2 and 8.4x10 1 cfu/100ml respectively. The result of these analyses showed that most of these parameters did not meet the WHO recommended standards. Hence, the environment should beremediated with immediate effect to avoid further disaster. Keywords: Crude Oil, Akwa Ibom, Bacteriological Analysis, Water, Sludge, Physicochemical Parameters 1. Introduction Since commercial exploration of petroleum started in Nigeria in 1958, the oil industry in Nigeria has completely restructured the country’s economy. However, this exploration has led to the pollution of lands and waterways [1]. Crude oil contamination from drilling processes creates problems that disrupt the lives of people living in close proximity to oil camps, wells, pumping stations, and pipelines. People living on oil-rich sites around the world are subjected to contamination of drinking water, topsoil, and livestock due to toxic pollution that results from the oil extraction process. In some contaminated sites, serious illnesses resulting from exposure have been documented. Multiple studies have been done that compared cancer rates of people living in close proximity to oil contaminated sites to those who live in unaffected regions. Most of these studies conclude that there is a correlation between the proximity of the subject to the contamination and an increased cancer rates. The water, soil and air have been severely tainted by petroleum pollutants [1, 2]. The devastating consequences of oil spill especially in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria together with its eventual hazards on aerial, terrestrial and aquatic environs manifest as an irreversible chain effect on both the biodiversity and human safety. The Niger Delta covers approximately 70,000 km 2 and is home to over 40 ethnic groups. Hundreds of thousands of these people are affected by the resulting oil contamination near their homes. Especially affected are some 80% of the region’s inhabitants who have little money and