Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Parameters Evaluation in the Upper Reaches of Bonny River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The objectives of the study were to determine distribution of heavy metal contamination in water, sediments and biota (Callinectes amniciola) of the upper reaches of the Bonny Estuary and to determine the impact on physicochemical characteristics of the water body. Sampled was from January to June 2020. The physicochemical parameters of the water varied slightly across the months but were within FEPA/WHO (2003) acceptable limits. Furthermore; the study compared the seasonal variations and determination of Bio-accumulation Factor (BF) of C. amnicola with respect to sediment. The study site is a tidal creek that drains into the main Bonny River channel within Niger Delta, Nigeria. The sampled locations/stations include Trans-Amadi slaughter in Azuabie {N4°81'49.9 and E7°04'63.4}, Okpoka Creek in Abuloma {N4°78'02.43 and E7°06'66.12} and Okirika Jetty {N4°73'70.04 and E7°09'56.93}. Samples of surface water, sediments and swimming crabs were collected from three different stations which were at least 1000 meters apart. The results of this study show that concentrations of the heavy metals (Fe and Zn) were both higher in the three media than the approved limits prescribed by the local regulatory authority. Although Cu was relatively within acceptable limit in the three media. There is therefore the need to control the anthropogenic activities within or around the river. This will help to prevent effluent and solid waste discharges that lead to increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the aquatic environment. Routine monitoring should be encouraged to identify the major sources of heavy metals introduction into the river and their impacts on the aquatic resources

The Estimation of Potential Yield of Water Hyacinth: A Tool for Environmental Management and an Economic Resource for the Niger Delta Region

Water hyacinth has seriously infested the waters of the Niger Delta region, cutting across the fresh water aquatic environment of the states that make up the Niger Delta states. However, there is hardly any comprehensive empirical study towards estimating the potential yield of this weed, which though an environmental nuisance, has enormous economic uses. It is only when a realistic estimate of the annual yields available of the weed in the region becomes available, that a considerable investment in its economic utilization can be undertaken. This research was conducted using remote sensing techniques (GIS) via satellite imagery analysis and reconnaissance surveys to conduct a yield assessment survey of the weed in the region. The principal yield parameters of interest focused on by this research are its mass (weight) and extent of spread (distribution) in the region. The distribution and level of abundance of water hyacinth within the Niger Delta region were equally assessed using a combination of both satellite imagery data and extrapolation methods developed exclusively for this study. Satellite imagery data from National Space Development and Research Agency were processed as a basis to evaluate the estimated surface area coverage of water hyacinth across the region.  Standard indices from literature were then used as a bench mark to combine with the satellite imagery estimates in determining the approximate total abundance of the water hyacinth in the region. Names of major rivers and creeks where this weed occurs were also identified through satellite imagery. The study arrived at a total biomass estimate of the weed in the region to be 3,225,000 tons/for the region/year. The study concluded that such yield value annually is adequate to invest in large facilities that could be used to economically utilize the weed and also indirectly control its myriad of environmental problems in the region

Sustainable Development: The Life Cycle Design

This paper reviewed the concept of sustainable development and that of Life Cycle Design. The influence of the latter in achieving the former was explained. In particular, a diagram of their interconnection has been developed; thus, illustrating the very important interdependence and justification of one on the other to exist and function as concepts. Moreover, a quantitative Life Cycle Design equation was propounded as a means of analyzing in numerical terms the attributes of Life Cycle Design (LCD) that distinguishes it from the Traditional Design Method (TDM) for any product of interest.  Design for Environment (DfE) was also reviewed; highlighting it’s origin, justification, challenges and proffering solutions on means of improving the effectiveness and wide acceptance of the concept. A new basis for classifying life cycle design; Holistic, Non Holistic, Adhoc, Strategic and Classic was discussed along the line of this application

The Effects of Marine Pollution on Nigerian Coastal Resources

The effects of marine pollution to coastal resources are extensive, impacting on the flora, fauna and entire ecology of the coastal environment. In most cases apart from direct impact on the living resources, marine pollutants tends to adversely alter or degrade the environment to extreme conditions that are beyond the tolerant or adaptation limits of the living resources therein. The destruction of aquatic life due to acute thermal shocks. Other effects of thermal pollution include normal physiological processes, such as growth and reproduction of aquatic species which has become severely impaired.  Rampant discharge of hot effluents, untreated sewage, oil spills, plastics and other forms of debris into our coastal aquatic environment is quite common off the coasts of Lagos and major industrialized cities of the Niger delta region of Nigeria such as Warri and Port Harcourt. Also flaring of associated gas especially at the flare pits are a severe source of thermal pollution in the coastal environment of Nigeria. Within the Niger Delta region, there are so many flare pits. The scorching heat from such flare sites destroy wildlife over a considerable radius of the areas around and drastically distort the natural population density of nocturnal animals through constant illumination of the forest. The following measures  are recommended to the government and relevant agencies; aggressive enlightenment and advocacy, economic empowerment of residents of coastal communities, strict enforcement of relevant laws concerning the abuse of the seas, and setting up of local scientific committees which will collaborate with such international committee to solve localized problems in the affected areas and re orientation and attitudinal change amongst coastal dwellers on the best global practice in reducing pollution of the seas

Environmental, Demogrphic and Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Adoption of Fisheries Conservation Measures in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine Environmental, Demogrphic and Socioeconomic factors influencing adoption of artisanal fisheries resources conservation measures based on the perspectives of Artisanal fishers in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The study was conducted for a period of one year (January 2008 to Decmber 2008. With the aid of well-structured questionnaires the desired information were collected and analyzed. A total sample size of 1,200 respondents within the study area, were selected using random sampling technique. Logistic regression technique was used to determine the impact of the independent variables on willingness to adopt fisheries conservation measures. The regression analysis result show that eleven (11) independent variables (Public Enlightenment, Regulatory pressure, Environmental stewardship, Severity of pollutants, Economic circumstances, Institutional Support, Information access, Highest Education, Fishing Experience, Legal Structure and Age) were factors that influence willingness to adopt conservation measures by the fishers. However, the level of influence was found to vary differently in the three states studied depending on the socioeconomic and educational status and other peculiarities of each of the state. Generally, based on the result of the logit analysis of the perspectives of the artisanal fisher respondents, it is therefore inferred that the willingness to adopt fisheries resources conservation measures in the Niger Delta by the Artisanal Fishers, is significantly a function of the studied demographic, socioeconomic, psychological, institutional and environmental factors as specified by the eleven variables

The Intuitional Perspective of Environment Pollutants Impact Severity on Artisanal Fisheries Resources in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract: The intuitional perspective of environment Pollutants Impact Severity on Artisanal Fisheries Resources in Niger Delta area of Nigeria was conducted for a period of one year (January 2008 -December 2008 to determine severity of environmental pollutants impacting on fisheries resources conservation and management in the Niger Delta region based on the opinion of relevant institutional personnel perspective, The study area covered include three core fishing states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States. Questionnaires were used to obtain desired information which was divided into 2 categories: middle level/technical and management officers. A total sample size of 105 respondents in the study area was taken using exhaustive sampling technique fort he institutions and random sampling technique to choose respondents within institutions where the sample population was found to be high (n>30). The data collected was subjected to analysis using binomial regression analysis, Kendall Rank coefficient of concordance, Likert mean and Likert mean of mean analysis. From the results, the severities of environmental parameters on fisheries resources were considered to significantly impact on fisheries resources by the respondents. The ranking and Likert mean of mean analysis result showed that all studied pollutants were significantly implicated to impact on fisheries resources in the Niger Delta region with LMm = 3.13. The Kendall ranking also showed that crude oil related pollutants such as oil spills, gas flaring and thermal pollution were ranked as the most severe pollutants impacting on fisheries resources of the region. This result is expected considering that the three states and the region is predominantly crude oil producing