The role of gas flaring in the rapid corrosion of zinc roofs in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

This study examined the role of gas flaring in the rapid corrosion of zinc roofs in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Four experimental sites were set up where samples of galvanized iron sheet (popularly called “zinc roofs”) were exposed to the atmosphere. The corrosion behaviour of galvanized iron sheet through weight loss determination under different environmental conditions was monitored. A uniform angle of inclination of 22° (which represents the mean angle of inclination of house roofs in the study area) was chosen. The results showed that corrosion was more severe (average readings of 25.89, 34.30, and 21.27 mg) in the three experimental sites that were located near pollution sources such as gas flare station or sea aerosols, than at the controlled site (2.36 mg) that was located far away from pollution sources. It is recommended that government’s policy of zero gas flaring for oil companies operating in the Niger Delta by 2010 be pursued with vigour, so as to realize the deadline and subsequently reduce the economic burden currently suffered by the inhabitants of the Niger Delta through frequent replacement of house roofs and incessant illnesses. In addition, individuals and companies operating in the region should avoid bush burning, reduce the rate of fossil fuel consumption by conserving energy, and install catalytic converters in cars and industrial chimneys, so as to reduce emissions.     

Public Perception of Flood Hazard in the Niger Delta,Nigeria

Summary Our study had the aim of understanding how floodplain dwellers regard the risk of flooding. About 500 questionnaires were administered to landowners in the selected settlements in the study area using systematic random sampling. The results of analysis show, among other things, that the population regards most important the causes of floods as heavy, prolonged rainfall and river overflow. Nevertheless, they have little knowledge of the frequency of severe floods, and flood alleviation schemes. Most flood victims do not get compensation or relief during flood disaster, and the reason why they remain in the study area is influenced by their occupations, especially fishing, subsistence agriculture, and the presence of crude oil in the region which has attracted many migrants who cannot afford the high cost of accommodation and are therefore forced to live in vulnerable areas of the floodplain. Finally, the study concludes that flood control in the region needs the cooperation of government, community efforts and an enlightenment programmes through environmental education and mass media.     

Changes in resident attitudes towards tourism development and conservation in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Negative attitudes of resident communities towards conservation are associated with resource decline in developing countries. In Botswana, Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) was adopted to address this challenge. CBNRM links rural development and conservation. However, the impact of CBNRM on changes of resident attitudes towards conservation and tourism is not adequately researched. This paper, therefore, assesses the impacts of CBNRM on resident attitudes towards tourism development and conservation in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The study purposively sampled villages of Khwai, Mababe and Sankoyo. Household data using variables like: economic benefits from CBNRM; level of satisfaction with CBNRM; co-management of natural resources between resident communities and government agencies; and collective action was collected. This data was supplemented by secondary and ethnographic data. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, results indicate changes in resident attitudes from being negative to positive towards tourism and conservation. These changes are triggered by economic benefits residents derived from CBNRM, co-management in resource management; and, collective action of communities in CBNRM development. Positive attitudes towards conservation and tourism are the first building blocks towards achieving conservation in nature-based tourism destinations. As a result, decision-makers should give priority to CBNRM and use it as a tool to achieve conservation and improved livelihoods in nature-based tourism destinations of developing countries.     

Hydrocarbon contamination of a terrestrial ecosystem: the case of Oshire-2 oil spill in Niger Delta,Nigeria

An oil-impacted site at Oshire-2 in Niger Delta (Nigeria) was delimited by reconnaissance. Surface and subsurface soils were analyzed for total extractable hydrocarbon content and some physicochemical characteristics. The oil-impacted soils had a mean hydrocarbon content of 1.99 × 10³ mg/kg (no overlap in Standard Error at 95% Confidence Limit) and were characterized by an isohyperthermic temperature regime >22°C, high moisture content, high acidity (low soil-pH) and low electrical conductivity. The intense infusion of degradable hydrocarbons at the site must have stimulated aerobic and anaerobic microbial metabolism and so, as oxygen became limiting, utilization of alternate electron acceptors produced an increasingly reducing environment.     

Policy And Practice Collective Response to Oil Spill Hazards in the Eastern Niger Delta of Nigeria

This paper outlines the main elements of a comprehensive, territorial, hazard amelioration strategy for the oil spill pollution areas of the Eastern Niger Delta of Nigeria. After documenting the extent and type of damage, an argument is presented in favour of urgent action and the need for planning. It is argued that present oil spill pollution laws are coercive and militant and do not encourage communities in the Eastern Niger Delta to act as pressure groups for a clean environment. The paper posits that environmental damages resulting from oil spills can be minimized through co-operative action between and amongst stakeholders-government,oil companies and community representatives. The paper therefore calls for a collective response.     

Perceptions, attitudes and interest of Swedish architects towards the use of wood frames in multi-storey buildings

Use of wood frames from sustainable forestry instead of non-wood frames in multi-storey buildings can reduce primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions in construction. However, construction actors might have different perceptions towards wood frames than towards steel and concrete frames. Such perceptions may influence the actors’ decision to adopt wood frames. In this study we use a web-based questionnaire to assess Swedish architects’ perceptions, attitudes and interest towards steel, concrete and wood frames in multi-storey buildings (n = 412). Results indicate that the responding architects find concrete the most suitable frame material in buildings of 3-8 storeys, mainly because of the performance of concrete with regards to the engineering aspects (e.g. stability and fire safety) that were considered important in the choice of frame material. Although wood is considered the least suitable frame material, the overall attitude towards, and interest in, using wood is positive and related to the perceived environmental benefits of wood. This may derive from an increased discussion of and information about the environmental impact of buildings. Wood may be perceived as new and innovative while not considered as adequately proven as steel and concrete with regards to engineering aspects.     

Response of macroinvertebrate communities to abattoir wastes and other anthropogenic activities in a municipal stream in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Impacts of co-occurring stressors (organic wastes and various human activities) on macroinvertebrate assemblages and environmental variables were investigated in a municipal stream, River Orogodo in southern Nigeria between the months of June 2004 and July 2005. Four sampling sites, each 25 m long were selected along 15 km stretch of the stream. There was a marked difference in the taxonomic composition of macroinvertebrates in the reference sites (I and IV) and those of the perturbed sites (II and III). A combined total of 78 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa were collected from the four sites of the river. The abundance and community structure patterns showed strong evidence of impact arising from the abattoir waste discharge such that the comparison of abundance values demonstrated high significance between the reference sites and the perturbed sites. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis indicated temporal trends in macroinvertebrate density and community composition. This was related to changes in environmental characteristics of the river especially BOD₅ and amount of nutrients. These factors produced spatial and temporal heterogeneity and exerted major influence on the benthic communities. The preponderance of Oligochaetes and diptera and deterioration in water quality at sites II and III are attributed to the intensity of human activities at these sites. Shannon-wiener diversity and evenness were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at the reference sites I and IV. Results illustrate the need for careful consideration of the water quality and indicator organisms in restoration and remediation programmes.     

Fractionation of Cd,Cr, Pb and Ni in roadside soils of Uyo,Niger Delta Region: Nigeria using the optimized BCR sequential extraction technique

The optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure was applied to nine roadside soil samples for the determination of Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni. The extractable metals were isolated into three operationally defined fractions viz: acid extractable, reducible and oxidizable. The residue was treated with aqua regia solution. Metal analysis was done using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry with air–acetylene flame. Results obtained showed the concentrations of the metals as relative abundance in the mobile phases of the samples (based on the sum of the first three fractions) are in the following order: Cd(91.9) > Pb(82.8) > Ni(49.5) > Cr(39.0). The most non-mobilizable metals were Cr and Ni which are generally lithogenic, associated with the silicate matrix, and the order is as follows: Cr(61.0) > Ni(50.5) > Pb(17.2) > Cd(8.1). The recovery of all the metals expressed as the ratio of total metal concentration to fractional sum of the optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure was of the order: Cr(95.6) > Pb(95.0) > Ni(94.8) > Cd(92.4).     

Field reconnaissance and estimation of petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metal contents of soils affected by the Ebocha-8 oil spillage in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Field reconnaissance of the Ebocha-8 oil spill-affected site at Obiobi/Obrikom in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to assess the extent of damage to the terrestrial ecosystem and delimit the epicenter of oil spillage. Following three successive reconnaissance surveys, the area to be sampled was delimited (200 x 200 m2), and soil samples were collected using the grid method from three replicate quadrats at two depths, surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm). A geographically similar area located 50 m adjacent to the oil-polluted area was used as a reference (control) site. Total hydrocarbon content (THC) and heavy metal concentrations were later determined in the laboratory by extraction and spetrophotemetric techniques. Generally, the THC of soils at surface and subsurface depths of the oil-polluted plots was 2.06 x 10(4) +/- 4.97 x 10(3) mg/kg and 1.67 x 10(3) +/- 3.61 x 10(2) mg/kg soil, respectively, (no overlap in standard errors at 95% confidence limit) while concentrations of heavy metals(Pb, Cd, V, Cu and Ni) were enhanced, especially at the surface. The high levels of THC and heavy metals may predispose the site, which hitherto served as arable agricultural land, to impaired fertility and possible conflagration. When concentrations of heavy metals reach the levels obtained in this study, they may become toxic to plants or possibly bio-accumulate, thus leading to toxic reactions along the food chain. While the spilled-oil may have contributed to the enhanced levels of the metals in the affected soils, physico-chemical properties of the soils, mobility of metals, and the intense rainfall and flooding that preceded the period of study may have also contributed in part to their enhanced concentrations. The presence of high hydrocarbon content may cause oxygen deprivation, which may result in the death of soil fauna by asphyxiation. There is, therefore, an urgent need to clear the affected site of these excess hydrocarbon deposits so as to enhance the rehabilitation process of the affected mat layer of soils. Other appropriate mitigating measures, such as subsequent monitoring of hydrocarbon levels at suitable intervals after the clean up activities, are also recommended, with reference to the findings of this study, for effective management of the affected area.     

Thermal gradient in the vicinity of Kwale/Okpai gas plant,Delta state,Nigeria: Preliminary observations

Environmental Pollution now persist in Nigeria especially the oil-rich regions of Delta State. One of these problems is due to gas flaring. Thermal gradient resulting from the gas flared at Kwale/Okpai gas plant is hereby reported. Surface temperature variations with distance from the flare point were investigated for the four cardinal directions. The results show a surface temperature elevation of about 3.7° C above the mean normal daily temperature within a radius of 270 M. Hence the thermal equilibrium has been altered. This increase in temperature has undesirable effect on man and his environment especially on the socio-economic lives and activities of the inhabitants. It is therefore necessary that Government Agencies empowered to monitor environment such as Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) should embark on adequate remediation activities in order to stop the environmental degradation before enormous and permanent damage is caused. Furthermore, the companies involved in the gas flaring should be made to be concerned with the danger they may be causing the inhabitants in particular and the populace in general.     

Water resource as a factor in the development of the Niger Delta Region

Summary The relatively under-developed condition of the Delta Area of Nigeria is mainly due to its difficult natural environment. This is with particular reference to the mass, and complex maze, of water which floods the region, causing erosion and pollution, all of which adversely affect agricultural practice, transportation and other human activities. Yet the region's future development rests primarily on water resources. It is important, therefore, to recognise that water is the most critical factor in the area's development and to embark on such measures that will control the water hazards and at the same time accomplish the promotion and utilisation of the deltaic water resources. These should be integrated in a regional development plan in order to minimise duplication of effort and achieve coordination among the various development agencies.Dr Layi Egunjobi is currently Senior Lecturer and Acting Director of the Centre for Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.     

Characteristic levels of heavy metals in sediments and dredged sediments of a municipal creek in the Niger delta, Nigeria

Characteristic levels of metal ions in post dredged sediment and dredged sediments materials of a municipal creek in the Niger Delta show that significant concentrations of heavy metals are found to be accumulated more on the surface (0–15cm depth) of the dredged material as compared to the sub surface (15–30cm) and post dredged sediments. The distribution patterns were in the following order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd and Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd for the post dredged sediment and dredged sediment materials respectively. The levels of the various metals were far below the EPA screening levels for open water disposal, consequently total levels of heavy metal found in these sediments pose no problem by open-water or upland disposal     

Experts’ attitudes towards CCS technologies in Spain

This paper presents the results from a survey on experts’ attitudes towards the development of CCS technologies in Spain. This is the first study carried out in Spain intending to report an empirical analysis of stakeholder perceptions on the risks, challenges and barriers facing CCS deployment. Results show a positive attitude towards CCS implementation in Spain. Experts are concerned about the suitability of storage sites, safety and capture costs. They tend to support CCS as a bridging solution to climate change, and have a general low level of perceived risk from CCS. Experts’ risk perception is influenced, to some extent, by general values and beliefs as well as by sociodemographics and, to a lesser extent, by group membership.     

Quality of rainwater harvesting for rural communities of Delta State,Nigeria

This paper assess the level of potability of rainwater samples harvested from catchments roofs in 6 rural communities of Delta State, Nigeria to achieve this goal a stratified sampling technique was adopted in the establishment of 90 sterilized cans into the 3 senatorial districts of Delta; on the basis of one can for thatch, aluminium, asbestos and corrugated iron sheets, and open surfaces. Six rural communities each were chosen from the three senatorial districts, making a total of 18 rural communities that were chosen for the study. The harvested rainwater samples were analysed with the most appropriate equipment and analytical techniques as recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and federal ministry of environment in Nigeria. Kruskal—wallis H’test statistical techniques was employed to ascertain whether differences exist amongst the rainwater samples collected from thatch, aluminium, asbestos and corrugated iron roofing sheets, and open surfaces. The result revealed that most of physiochemical and biological characteristics of rainwater samples were generally below the WHO threshold, as such the rainwater characteristics showed satisfactory concentration in these rural communities. Thus, the rainwater from these rural communities should be harvested, stored for human consumption and for other uses by the inhabitants. But treatment is needed in terms of their pH, TSS, Fe and colour. Similarly, significant differences exist amongst the rainwater samples collected from the 5 roofing types, most especially low quality of rainwater were observed in thatch and asbestos roofing sheets. Thus, rainwater from these sources should be purified before consumption.     

Land values: changing attitudes towards the Australian environment

In 1788 Humphrey Repton made his important decision to carry on in the Brown tradition, and the well established Eighteenth Century English Landscape School continued in Europe for another thirty years. (Stroud: 1962) Also, in that same year, the British Government founded its first penal colony in New Holland, and as those unfortunate convicts and soldiers began clearing the virgin bush from the shores of Sydney Cove, so began the landscape destruction which has haunted Australia to the present time.     

Evaluation of aquifer vulnerability and the protective capacity in some oil producing communities of western Niger Delta

Oil spills have become a major environmental hazard constituting serious social problems in Nigeria, especially in the oil producing communities. The spills contaminate the aquifer if the subsurface layers are not protected. Geoelectric technique of geophysical investigation has been used to evaluate the protective capacity of six oil producing communities: Oleh, Olomoro, Uzere, Afiesere, Ekakpamre and Uvwiamuge in the western Niger Delta. A total of 139 vertical electrical sounding (VES) using the Schlumberger electrode configuration were occupied in these communities. The longitudinal conductance maps delineated areas with poor (<0.1 mho), weak (0.1–0.19 mho), moderate (0.2–0.69 mho) and good protective capacity (0.7–4.9 mho). The study has shown that the protective capacity of most parts of the communities studied is poor with Uvwiamuge and Ekakpamre communities not protected hence the aquifer in these oil producing communities are vulnerable to contamination by hydrocarbon in the event of pollution. Hence proper environmental protection measures have been suggested to safeguard the aquifer from pollution by hydrocarbon in the event of spillage.     

Perceptions of climate change in Thunder Bay,Ontario: towards a place-based understanding

Climate change is a global phenomenon that it is experienced and understood in places. This research examined the ways in which community members understand, perceive, and experience climate change in the context of Thunder Bay Ontario; a mid-size and remote city located in Northern Ontario, using semi-structured walking interviews (N?=?18). Themes that emerged from the interview data are presented and discussed in relation to the literature. Results emphasise that participants conceptualise climate change as a complex ethical issue that is caused by greenhouse gas emissions and a range of underlying social, economic, and political factors. Participants identified numerous changes in weather, seasonality, and extreme events and anticipate future impacts on local and regional food, water, and forests primarily. Emotional impacts of climate change, ranging from worry to feeling hopeful, emerged as an important theme. The data illustrate that the observed, experienced, and anticipated impacts of climate change are shaped by experiences on the land and water within the community of Thunder Bay and the region of Northern Ontario. Finally, the interview data illustrate that participants believe that transformative action, by a range of actors, is called for to address the problem of climate change. This study highlights the importance of place-based and context-specific climate change research and the utility of walking interviews.     

Perceptions and attitudes of land managers in multi-tenure reserve networks and the implications for conservation

Multi-tenure reserve networks aim to connect areas managed for biodiversity conservation across public and private land and address the impacts of fragmentation on both biotic and social systems. The operation and function of Australian multi-tenure reserve networks as perceived by their land managers was investigated. Overall, the conservation of natural assets was the most frequently reported primary reason for involvement in a network. The perceived aims of the respective networks largely reflected the response identified for involvement and management. Over 88% of managers considered their involvement in multi-tenure reserve networks to be a positive or very positive experience. A lack of resources and time for management were considered major limitations of these networks. The majority (80%) of private land managers within networks were willing to be included in a national reserve system of conservation lands. As the Australian National Reserve System currently incorporates mostly public land, these findings have important and potentially positive implications for a greater role for protected private land.     

Local people's attitudes towards conservation and wildlife tourism around Sariska Tiger Reserve, India

Conservationists in the recent years view local peoples' support for protected areas management as an important element of biodiversity conservation. This is often linked to the direct benefits, which local communities get from the protected areas. These benefits could be in the form of biomass resources, park funds diverted to local villages by state agencies and revenue from wildlife tourism. There are a very few studies which have attempted to study the direct relationship between benefits from wildlife tourism and local support for conservation. In India, wildlife tourism is restricted, and mostly controlled by state and private agencies. Wildlife conservation policy does not view tourism in protected areas as a source of revenue for the local communities. The present study examines the local people's attitudes towards wildlife tourism and the impact of benefits from tourism on the local support for Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), India. STR is a flagship for tourism where protected areas are increasingly being visited and where local support for wildlife tourism has not been studied adequately. Results indicate that two-thirds of the respondents were positive towards tourism and support for conservation. The respondents were aware that more tourism benefits are possible from a well-conserved protected area. There appears to be correlation between benefits obtained by local people from wildlife tourism and other sources, and support for protected area existence, suggesting that benefits impact people's attitudes towards conservation. Some of the main problems are the unequal distribution of tourism benefits, lack of locals' involvement in tourism and development. There is a need to clearly address these issues, so that protected areas may get the support of local people, which may lead to sustainable development.     

Public perceptions and attitudes towards an established managed realignment scheme: Orplands,Essex, UK

Where appropriate, managed realignment is the preferred policy option for sustainable coastal defences in the UK, since it provides both economic and ecological advantages. Until recently however, research has failed to address the social implications of this policy option having only acknowledged that communities in general, show reluctance in conceding land to the sea. Orplands managed realignment scheme is the third in a series of case studies to address a variety of social issues, but with a particular focus on the public acceptance of schemes and public confidence in the Environment Agency. It is hypothesised that local residents will be more accepting of a realignment scheme the longer it is in the public domain, rather than at its inception or construction. This paper presents findings from the Orplands scheme and demonstrates that overall scheme acceptance was greater at this site in comparison to previous case studies. Despite this, respondents did not show any more confidence in the Environment Agency and this has been attributed to their general scepticism towards a statutory body and the lack of recent contact between the various stakeholders. It is suggested that the development of criteria for consultation and public participation would facilitate public acceptance of managed realignment schemes.