Geoenvironmental evaluation of toxic metals in the sediments of Araromi coastal area, Southwestern Nigeria

To assess the vulnerability of Araromi residents to toxic (trace) metal pollution, we estimated the ecological risk of the sediments in the coastal area. The concentration of the metals (ppm) followed the trend: Fe (16,265–90,512) > Mn (116.3–1657) > Zn (16.5–338) > Cu (2.62–75.5) > Cr (4.5–29.25) > Pb (2–104.5) > Co (2.5–26) > Ni (1.45–22.75) > Cd (0.0015–1.5). Sediments from Oke Siri‐2, Idi Gbengben‐1, Oke Meji, Idi Gbengben‐3, and Ola Baba evidenced significant or extremely high enrichments. The degree of pollution of the trace metal was Pb > Cd > Zn > Fe > Mn > Co > Cu > Cr > Ni. Furthermore, the derived geoaccumulation index and contamination factor revealed that Pb, Cd, and Zn exhibited low‐high pollution levels. In contrast, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Co showed zero potential for ecological risks. The hazard index suggested that children and adults were not susceptible to any potential carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic effects. Also, the consensus‐based sediment quality guidelines revealed no adverse effects caused by toxic metals as the metals have values below the probable effect concentrations.