GUT HEALTH CRISIS? INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF OIL SPILLAGE ON MICROBIOME-RELATED DISEASES IN THE NIGER DELTA

Abstract

Oil spillage remains a pressing environmental and public health concern in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. While its ecological consequences are well documented, its impact on human gut health remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between chronic crude oil exposure and gut microbiome-related diseases in affected communities. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study assessed 600 adult residents from both oil-contaminated and control communities through environmental sampling, clinical evaluation, and 16S rRNA gene-based microbiome profiling. Results revealed significantly elevated levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in soil and water in exposed communities. These contaminants correlated with reduced microbial diversity, depletion of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus), and increased abundance of pathogenic taxa (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae). Clinically, residents of contaminated areas reported higher rates of recurrent diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and antacid use. Regression analysis identified environmental contaminants and low microbial diversity as significant predictors of gastrointestinal symptoms. These findings underscore the gut microbiome as a critical but overlooked dimension of environmental health, emphasizing the need for microbiome-centered surveillance, policy reform, and community-based interventions in oil-polluted regions.
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